§ Mr. TURNERasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Government of the United Provinces refused, without giving any reasons, to grant passports to Babu Shiva Prasad Gupta and his wife to proceed to Europe, in spite of the fact that Babu Shiva Prasad Gupta had been advised to take his wife to Europe for medical advice and treatment, and that she could not go to Europe unless he accompanied her; and whether he will make inquiry into the causes of this refusal?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI am aware of the refusal to grant a passport to the persons named, and my Noble Friend has received a report upon the subject, which has satisfied him that it would not be right for him to interfere with the discretion of the Indian authorities in the matter.
§ Mr. TURNERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of Bengal have refused a passport to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to proceed to Europe for medical treatment; and whether he will inquire into the circumstances of this refusal?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI am aware that a passport was recently refused to the Maulana, though the ground on which it was applied for was not that indicated in the question. My Noble Friend is not prepared to interfere with the discretion of the Bengal Government in this case.