HC Deb 24 February 1947 vol 433 cc1687-8
74. Mr. Driberg

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that at 6 a.m. on r4th January an officer of Military Intelligence, who had travelled specially from Calcutta and returned there the same day, searched the kit of Captain M. B. Jones, R.A., Muttra, India Command, against whom no offence is alleged, read all his personal letters, perused his books and removed private property including II letters, a photograph, a used cheque book and a ballet programme; and what purpose was served by this expenditure of public money.

The Under-Secretary of State for India (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

I am informed by the Government of India that this officer was interviewed in connection with the investigation of leakages of secret military information which formed the basis of articles in the Communist Press. The Adjutant of the Unit was present throughout the interview and the officer, on being invited to show papers in his possession, agreed to do so. Any expenditure incurred will fall on the revenues of the Government of India.

Mr. Driberg

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the suspicions of the officer conducting this search were particularly aroused by the ballet programme, because it contained the name of a Russian dancer, and by one of Dostoievsky's novels, and is it asking too much to ask that officers employed in Intelligence should show some?

Mr. Henderson

All I can say is that this officer is under the control of the Government of India and not of my noble Friend.