§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESasked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether the provisions of the Police Acts for employing extra police at the cost of riotous towns, villages, or communities have been or will be used;
(2) whether the provisions of the Village Police Acts, for disallowing the stay in villages of persons likely to cause disturbance of the peace, have been or will be used against seditious agitators; and, if the village officers are not strong enough for this purpose, whether they will be stimulated and reinforced?
§ Mr. BENNI have no reason to suppose that any of the provincial Governments are unaware of their powers under the Acts mentioned.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is satisfied that the police force is adequate in numbers, standard of recruits, training, and equipment?
§ Mr. BENNI should hesitate to commit myself in the unqualified terms suggested in respect of the police forces throughout India. The hon. and gallant Member is doubtless aware that these are organised on a provincial basis, and that while their efficiency in each province is primarily the responsibility of the local Government of each province, the appropriations in aid of them are subject to the vote of the provincial legislatures.
640Wfor each of the last five years, and the revenue derived from each class?