§ 6. Mr. Sorensenasked the Undersecretary of State for India, if he is aware that certain Indian political leaders have suggested Indians should personally share the financial burden of restoring church property destroyed in the recent disturbances; to what extent the Indian Government or the provincial governments are responsible for restoration and repair; if the offer has been accepted; and what is the estimated cost of the damage.
§ Mr. A. HendersonI have seen in the Press a statement by Maulana Abul Kalam Azed that he had visited the American Episcopal Methodist Church damaged in recent disturbances in Calcutta, and had suggested to the Church Committee that the damage should be made good by contributions 1500 from the citizens, and that he is issuing instructions to local Congress Committees to raise the necessary funds. Beyond this, I have no information regarding the suggestion referred to by my hon. Friend or the estimated cost of damage to church property, but I will make inquiries. With regard to the responsibility for the cost of repair and restoration I would invite attention to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 4th March.