CONFERENCE. (Hansard, 9 July 1930)

HC Deb 09 July 1930 vol 241 cc425-7 425

§ 67 Mr. FREEMAN
asked the Secretary of State for India (1) who will be the representatives, or how they will be selected, to attend the roundtable Conference on Indian affairs called for the autumn;

§ (2) what will be the terms of reference, constitution and powers of the roundtable Conference on Indian affairs called for 20th October, 1930;

§ (3) whether he can make a statement as to the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the round-table Conference on Indian affairs called for the autumn?

§ 69. Mr. BRACKEN
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House an assurance that the Indian Statutory Commission's Report will form the basis of His Majesty's Government's policy at the forthcoming round-table Conference?

§ 70. Colonel HOWARD-BURY
asked the Secretary of State for India whether 426 he can give the House any further information with regard to the composition or the date of the round-table Conference or the terms of reference?

426

§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)
Addressing the two Houses of the Indian Legislature at Simla, the Viceroy has to-day made a statement on behalf of His Majesty's Government dealing with the matters raised in these questions. The official text of his speech will immediately be made available to Members of the House.

§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN
May I ask whether the statement made by the Viceroy deals with the composition of the Conference on its home side; the representation of this country in the Conference?

§ Mr. BENN
No. It gives what information can be given at this moment, but it does not deal with the British representation on the Conference.

§ Mr. FREEMAN
May I ask whether the statement will make it clear that at the round-table Conference it will be within the province of any individual, or body of individuals, to present a constitution or the basis of a constitution for the future self-government of India on a, self-governing basis and on a permanent basis?

§ Mr. BENN
I would ask the hon. Member to read the speech, which deals specifically with that point and with all points which can be dealt with.

§ Mr. BRACKEN
Will the Secretary of State tell us whether the Viceroy will deal explicitly with the question I addressed to him which concerns His Majesty's Government and not the Government of India?

§ Mr. BENN
If the hon. Member will go to the Vote Office immediately after Questions, he will get a reply to his question.

§ Mr. BROCKWAY
May I ask whether the Viceroy's statement is to be accompanied by a political amnesty to offenders in Indian prisons?

§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE
Is it the intention of the Government to make a 427 statement regarding British representation at the round-table Conference before the House adjourns?

§ Mr. BENN
That is a matter on which I cannot give an answer, and it does not arise out of these questions. Nor does the question of the hon. Member for Leyton East (Mr. Brockway) arise out of these questions. If they are put on the Paper of course answers will be prepared.

§ Colonel HOWARD-BURY
In Question No. 70 I ask for the composition of this round-table Conference. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give me a reply on that specific point?

§ Mr. BENN
I have already said that so far as a reply can be given it is given in the document to which I have referred.

§ Mr. BROCKWAY
On a point of Order. The Viceroy has made a statement in India to-day which is of profound importance to the future relations of this country and India. Is not this House entitled to know the character of that statement before it is widely published outside?

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That is not a point of Order. That is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Government.

§ Mr. BROCKWAY
The point of privilege I desire to press is this, that that statement has been made in India and has been published in the Press already. Questions have been put on the matter in this House and the statement has not been reported to this House.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
The hon. Member must realise that the time in India and in this country is different, and it is impossible to prevent the publication of statements made some time before according to our time.

§ Mr. W. J. BROWN
Arising out of Question No. 70, inasmuch as the composition and personnel of the Conference itself may depend on the Government's decision as to whether an amnesty is to be granted to political prisoners—

§ Mr. SPEAKER
That does not arise out of Question 70.