§ 2. Mr. Gammansasked the Under-Secretary of State for India why British troops were used to restore order in Amritsar; for what reason Indian troops were not employed instead; and if it is proposed to continue to use British troops to suppress communal riots until 31st May, 1948.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for India (Mr. Arthur Henderson)The British troops in question are one company normally stationed at Amritsar, and two battalions brought in on 7th March and subsequently withdrawn. I am informed that these battalions were those most easily available at the time. A company 2 of Indian troops had already been brought in and is still there. The decision as to which troops to use rests with the local commander, and so long as British troops remain on the Indian establishment they must clearly be available for any legitimate purpose for which troops are required, including the maintenance of public order.
§ Mr. GammansSurely, it is fundamentally repugnant to the spirit of the Government's new policy that British troops should be used for the Interim Government to coerce one section of the community?
§ Mr. HendersonThat is not a statement of the facts which I could accept. The troops are not being used to coerce one section of the community. They are being used against any law breakers, and that is their function, and must be the function of any troops.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanDo I understand the right hon. and learned Gentleman to say that there is only one company of Indian troops in Amritsar, because, usually, there are far more than that stationed there?
§ Mr. HendersonYes, Sir; that is my information.
§ Mr. GammansDoes the answer mean that, until the end of May next year, British troops are going to be used to put down any communal riots that may arise?
§ Mr. HendersonNo, Sir. All I can say is, that British troops, under present 3 arrangements, must be available to play their part in maintaining law and order, so long as they remain in India.
§ 6. Brigadier Lowasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what British troops have been used to quell the disorders in the Punjab; and whether these troops were previously stationed in the Punjab, or had to be brought in from other stations.
§ Mr. A. HendersonBritish troops employed have comprised only units of the 23rd British Brigade Group, together with the Inniskilling Fusiliers, all of which were already stationed in the Punjab. No British troops have been brought from stations outside the Punjab.
§ 7. Mr. Godfrey Nicholsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will give the latest information about the disturbances in the Punjab, including the approximate casualties suffered by the Moslem, Hindu and Sikh communities.
§ Mr. A. HendersonOn 4th March serious communal rioting broke out in Lahore. During the next few days, similar outbreaks occurred in other towns in the Province, especially Multan, Amritsar and Rawalpindi. I regret to say that casualties have been heavy, and that there has been much damage to property. The immediate situation in these towns is, however, under control. The disturbances have, unfortunately, spread from the towns to rural areas, particularly in the Muslim-majority districts of the north and west, where the situation is still serious, and tension between the communities remains very high. All possible measures to deal with the situation are being taken, but this continues acute in all parts of the Province. Casualty figures are admittedly incomplete, especially in respect of the rural areas. Verified casualties up to the evening of 16th March were 1,046 killed and 1,167 injured. I regret that I am not in a position to give the figures for each community separately.
§ Mr. NicholsonBefore asking a supplementary question, may I be permitted to say, Mr. Speaker, that I am sure I speak for the whole House when I say how deeply we deplore these awful events? Are His Majesty's Government considering the relevance of these occurrences to their recent declaration of the new Indian policy?
§ Mr. HendersonCertainly, I am quite prepared to answer. As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, they would not accept any suggestion that there is any connection at all.
§ Mr. NicholsonI said, "the relevance of these occurrences to their new Indian policy," by which I meant, the bearing which these and similar occurrences have on the carrying out of that policy?
§ Mr. HendersonI do not think that the House will agree that there is any the less reason for carrying out the Government's policy by reason of these unfortunate occurrences.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerIs it not a fact that there is no likelihood of a responsible Government being established in the Punjab in the near future?
§ Mr. HendersonI would certainly not like to commit myself on that point, because there is no doubt about the feeling existing between the three communities there.
§ Mr. ButlerDoes not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that it is rather irresponsible to talk about quitting when there is no responsible Government there at the present time?
§ Sir Waldron SmithersIs not the real responsibility for these murders and loss of life that of His Majesty's Government?
§ 8. Mr. Nicholsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what casualties have been incurred by British and Indian Army troops, respectively, in the recent Punjab disturbances.
§ Mr. A. HendersonNo casualties have been suffered by British Army troops in the Punjab disturbances. Casualties among Indian troops have been one officer and two other ranks injured.
§ 9. Mr. Nicholsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the troops used in the Punjab disturbances are under the orders of the Governor in the exercise of his special responsibilities or under the orders of the interim Government at the centre.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe troops are under the orders of the local military authorities. These authorities are bound to comply with requests for assistance 5 from the competent civil authorities, who are, at present, under the control of the Governor, acting in his discretion under Section 93 of the Government of India Act.
§ Mr. NicholsonSurely, whether or not Section 93 is in operation, the Governor has the overriding responsibility for law and order in his Province?
§ Mr. HendersonThe present position is that the Governor has the overriding authority because he is operating under Section 93. If Section 93 were not operating, he would only have special responsibility by reason of circumstances which constitute a grave menace to the peace and tranquillity of the Province. None the less, there is a corresponding responsibility on the Government of India by reason of the fact that the soldiers under their control are liable to be called upon to assist the civil authorities when there is a threat to law and order in the Province.
§ Mr. NicholsonI am afraid I did not make myself clear. What I am seeking to find out is whether the Governor is acting on his own personal responsibility, which attaches to him as Governor, or on his responsibility as Governor in Council, or whether the troops are being employed on the responsibility of the Central Government?
§ Mr. HendersonThe troops are being employed as a result of the military authorities having been requested by the civil authorities to render aid. Prior to the Governor taking dyer, under Section 93, the responsibility would lie in the Ministerial Government, but, as the result of the departure of the Ministry, the responsibility now rests upon the Governor himself.
§ Mr. WyattIs it not a fact that, unless Section 93 is operating, law and order are the responsibility of the appropriate Indian Minister? That being so, I submit that the question put by the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. Nicholson) has no relevance.
§ Mr. NicholsonSurely, the hon. Gentleman is wrong. Am I not right in saying that an overriding responsibility attaches to the Governor in person, as distinct from the Governor in Council, whether Section 6 93 is in operation or not? I want to know whether troops have been called in that capacity, and, if not, in what capacity.
§ Mr. HendersonIf the hon. Gentleman would like to know exactly the circurnstances in which the troops were called in, he should put down a Question. I was endeavouring to deal with the constitutional position.