§ 2.36 p.m.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the number of casualties —analyzed by provinces—that has been occasioned in India by disturbances since November 18, 1946.]
966§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE EARL OF LISTOWEL)My Lords, with the noble Lord's permission, I will circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the figures desired. These figures are only approximate, as it is impossible to collect accurate statistics at the moment. The statement gives a total, during the period in question, of 4,014 persons Wed and 3,616 injured.
§ [Following is the statement referred to:
| Statement of casualties in disturbances in India, | ||
| November 18, 1946, to May 18, 1947. | ||
| Killed | Injured | |
| Madras | — | 13 |
| Bombay | 321 | 1,119 |
| Bengal | 186 | 965 |
| United Provinces | 17 | 53 |
| Punjab | 3,024 | 1,200 |
| Bihar | 7 | 35 |
| Central Provinces | 2 | 12 |
| Assam | 14 | — |
| North West Frontier | ||
| Province | 414 | 150 |
| Delhi | 29 | 69 |
| Totals | 4,014 | 3,616 |
LORD LLOYDI thank the noble Earl for his reply. Arising out of it, would the noble Earl agree that the situation as regards civil disturbances in India, far from improving since the last statement of casualties was made and since the pronouncement by His Majesty's Government on February 20, has on the contrary deteriorated? And would the noble Earl also agree that this deterioration is not unconnected with that pronouncement made on February 20?
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELI do not feel that I am in a position to answer that question as it is entering into the realm of policy.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELI am sure your Lordships will agree that at this particular moment, when the Viceroy is here for discussions about the transfer of power in India, it would be extremely unwise to make any statement which might give rise to speculation or be interpreted in India in a way that the noble Earl himself would not desire.