§ 74. Sir C. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the acting Indian High Commissioner about the cannabis which was imported into Great Britain by two Indians, both of whom were sentenced to terms of imprisonment at Inner London Sessions in the week beginning 9th July, and which was intended for delivery to the First Secretary of the Indian High Commission in London.
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§ Mr. George ThomasFollowing a report in the Press, the Commonwealth Office asked for and obtained from the Home Office a copy of a police report dated 5th May stating that two Indian citizens, Mr. Bhasin and Mr. Dayal, had been arrested on charges of smuggling drugs from India into Britain. The report included a statement that Bhasin was found to be in possession of a letter written to Dayal which, among other things, asked him to deliver some mangoes and mango pickle to Mr. Das, First Secretary in the Indian High Commission. The police do not believe that any of the contents of the tins were in fact delivered to Mr. Das.
The police decided that on the basis of this letter alone, and having regard to other factors known to them there were no grounds for instituting investigations in relation to Mr. Das. They considered that the reference in the letter to Mr. Das did not justify the inference that he was himself in any way involved. No representations, therefore, have been made to the Acting High Commissioner; nor do I propose to make any. My Office and the police have been in close touch with the Indian High Commission who have throughout given their full co-operation.