MR. MAGNIAC (Bedford, N., Biggleswade)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he has received any remonstrance from commercial quarters with reference to the absence of a sufficient representation of commercial interests upon the Indian Committee; and, whether, having regard to the fact that the most important tie between this Country and India is a commercial one, he will undertake to examine the matter, with a view to acceding to the desire of the remonstrants, and so as to give a practical direction to the inquiry?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH) (Lancashire, Clitheroe)To the first paragraph of my hon. Friend's Question I have to reply that the only suggestion which has reached me from any commercial body is that which he handed to me on Friday from the executive committee of the London Chamber of Commerce. In answer to the second paragraph, I am not prepared to admit, having regard to the nature of the inquiry, which involves many questions not connected with commerce, that the proposed selection of members is otherwise than a fair one. I may remind the House that if our proposals are accepted there will be on the Joint Committee one Peer and one eminent Member of this House closely connected with the commercial interests of the City of London, and at least one other Member identified with the commercial interests of the cotton districts of England.