§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, considering the disappointment of the people of India at the lack of opportunities afforded for the discussion of their affairs in Parliament, he would give an early opportunity for a full debate, on Indian affairs.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURA full debate on Indian affairs is a rather large order, as I suppose it would cover the whole question of the external and internal relations of India. I should be very glad for such a debate to take place, and, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there are methods by which private Members can obtain opportunities for such a discussion, but I cannot promise him exceptional opportunities.
§ MR. J. H. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)asked whether the Prime Minister thought the interests of 300,000,000 of His Majesty's subjects in India were satisfied by one discussion at the end of the session on the Indian Budget. Why could not a further opportunity be given to the House?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not hostile to a discussion in this House on Indian affairs, but I could not admit it to be axiomatic or self-evident that the interests of 300,000,000 of His Majesty's subjects in India would be improved by a debate in this House.