§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the political leaders in Burma have been arrested and imprisoned under the Indian Defence of the Realm Act instead of, as elsewhere in India, under the ordinary laws; and, if so, why was such extraordinary action taken?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe means of meeting a systematic boycott of loyal people affected by the ordinary law in India is to proclaim as unlawful the associations which are responsible. I understand that in Burma the boycotting of loyal Burmese is the work of individual extremists who belong to a perfectly respectable association, which it would be unjust to proclaim. Special legislation is being prepared, but in the meantime the Lieutenant-Governor has, as an emergency measure, temporarily interned a few mischief-makers under the Defence of India Act.