Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

Oral Answers to Questions — India. – in the House of Commons at on 23 February 1921.

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Photo of Mr Benjamin Spoor Mr Benjamin Spoor , Bishop Auckland

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in the event of an attack by hostile ships on Ran- goon, the fortification of the Shwe Dagon Pagoda would lead to its bombardment and possible destruction; and whether, since it is reverenced by Burmans as Westminster Abbey is by Englishmen, he will cancel the power of entry by the military in the grant of the Pagoda lands and direct that, in the case of war, these lands be used for hospital purposes only.

Photo of Mr Edwin Montagu Mr Edwin Montagu , Cambridgeshire

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wentworth on 3rd November. A committee is now assembling at Rangoon to work out details for evacuation of the arsenal and its location elsewhere.