§ MR. SMEATON (Stirlingshire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the pledge recently given by the Viceroy of India that no legislation in the direction of widening the powers and responsibilities of the Legislative Councils would be undertaken before the public in India and at home have had ample opportunity for an expression of opinion on the proposals, and in view also of the fact stated by the Viceroy that these proposals are fraught with great possibilities, he will give this House an opportunity of examining and discussing the proposals before any scheme of legislation is finally decided. upon.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. MORLEY, Montrose Burghs)If legislation in the Imperial Parliament should prove to be necessary, the Government would follow the ordinary course and would submit their proposals in a Bill or Bills. We should not ask Parliament to accept our measures without full time being given to collect opinion at home and in India.