§ SIR HENRY FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further statement to make with regard to the speech of the Viceroy of India on the subject of the administration of the Indian Army. In putting the Question, may I explain that on perusal of the text of Lord Curzon's speech I found that I was not justified on a recent occasion in using the words in relation to that speech that the decision of His Majesty's Government and the despatch of the Secretary of State conveying that decision to the Viceroy were criticized "severely if not offensively." I wish, therefore, to withdraw the word "offensively" altogether and substitute for it "unconstitutionally."
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)I am glad the right hon. Gentleman has seen his way to withdraw the word in question. His Majesty's Government have carefully considered the text of Lord Curzon's speech of July 18th in reference to their decision as to military administration in India. The speech was delivered in terms which might easily give rise to misconception, but the questions at issue having been settled on lines accepted by the Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief, His Majesty's Government are content to regard it as closed, and to accept unreservedly Lord Curzon's declaration in the speech of July 18th of "his utmost desire to carry out loyally a policy decided upon by His Majesty's Government."