§ Sir C. YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the Governments of the Punjab, Bengal, Madras, and Burma have already taken action in the matter, the Government of India will now issue instructions that legal assistance in bringing actions against the offending newspapers is to be given to all Government servants, both British and Indian, who have been defamed in the Indian Press?
§ Earl WINTERTONI think it is evident from the facts stated in the question that there is no reason to suggest to the Government of India the issue of any further orders.
§ Sir C. YATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, with reference to his reply to Question No. 4 of the 12th instant, he will communicate to the Government of India the desirability of bringing in legislation to protect the Civil Services and the police in India from vilification by the non-co-operation Press in India similar to that lately brought in for the protection of Indian ruling chiefs and princes?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe hon. and gallant Member must be aware of the peculiar difficulties which, in practice, made it impossible for ruling chiefs to obtain redress against libels published in British India by recourse to the Law 3179W Courts. He must also be aware of the reciprocal obligations existing between British India and the native states for the prevention of sedition. The position of public servants presents no analogy. So far as attacks upon their conduct are attempts to excite disaffection against the lawfully established Government, the ordinary criminal law provides a remedy. Against personal libels they have the same means of redress as any other subject of the Crown, and the hon. and gallant Member knows that this means has been successfully employed.