Delhi, July 1
Mr Arthur Bottomley, leader of the team of British MPs who have just completed a fact-finding tour of East and West Bengal, told journalists here today that it was unlikely Indian infiltrators were responsible for the devastation in East Pakistan.

Mr Bottomley, who was asked whether he had found any evidence to substantiate Pakistan's allegations, said: “I am afraid Indian soldiers would have had to go a long way to carry out the devastation I have seen there, it is not likely.”

Mr Bottomley, Mr Toby Jessel, Tory MP for Twickenham, and Mr Reg Prentice (Labour. East Ham) arrived in Delhi today for talks with Indian officials and ministers.

The three said they had been shocked and distressed by what they had seen. “We saw many devastated villages in East Pakistan and I can only describe the atmosphere there as one of disquiet, apprehension and fear”, Mr Bottomley said.

In a reference to claims that conditions had been created for the safe return of the six million refugees. Mr Bottomley said: "We spoke to many refugees and we found that they are so scared they will not go back under present conditions.”

He added that the team had been overwhelmed by the plight of the refugees and the gigantic burden which had been foisted on India. “We saw children who had been shot up and we saw people dying of starvation on the side of the road.”

Mr Prentice said he was convinced that the prospects of peace could only be brought about through a political settlement. This must be worked out by the elected representatives of East Bengal led by Shaikh Mujibur Rahman

Mr Jessel emphatically denied allegations that the Indian Government was preventing the refugees from returning to East Pakistan. He explained that the Pakistanis took the team to a reception centre geared to handle 5,000 returning refugees every day. “But the Pakistanis admitted themselves that only 226 people had pitched up at the centre during the past few days.”

Mr Bottomley said he would attempt to persuade the British Government to extend further aid to India.

Mr R. K. Khadilkar, India’s Minister for Rehabilitation, told me later tonight that he estimates India will now have to spend $400m (£166m) to keep the six million refugees alive during the next six months.

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Mr Salman Ali, the High Commissioner for Pakistan in London, said his government was concerned about Mr Jesse!'s remark on Tuesday that he could not advise refugees to return to East Pakistan.

Mr Ali said the advice was against the interests of the refugees