§ 45. Sir W. Smithersasked the Prime Minister how many persons have been killed and wounded, respectively, in India, Ceylon and Burma since 29th June, 1946; and if he will give figures for natives and Europeans separately.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)The following figures are for casualties due to civil disturbances exclusive of ordinary crime. Separate figures are not available for European casualties, but they may safely be assumed to have been very small indeed. In British India, during the period referred to, 5,946 persons were killed and 14,550 wounded. Practically all of these casualties occurred in communal disturbances, but they exclude those in Bihar during the present month and also those in Noakhali and Tippera during October. For neither of these are reliable estimates yet available. In Burma, no persons have been reported as either killed or wounded in civil disturbances during the relevant period. In Ceylon, four persons were killed and 12 508 wounded in an act of sabotage committed during a strike for increased wages.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is owing to the Government's policy that there sit on the Front Bench the really guilty men, who are responsible for this terrible loss of life?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I regret to say that communal disturbances of this nature have occurred from time to time in India. They are all very deplorable, but they have occurred under various Governments, and I entirely reject the hon. Member's suggestion.