§ MR. SMEATON (Stirlingshire)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the reforms in the administration of India which are now under consideration will necessitate legislation by this House; and whether, in view of the situation in India, he will consent to circulate the draft reform proposals to Members of Parliament before the House reassembles for the autumn session, in order to enable the House to deal effectively with the legislation which will be introduced.
§ MR. BUCHANANAt the present stage it is not certain whether the improvements now under consideration will, 1747 or will not, demand legislation in Parliament. It would be a departure from settled usage to circulate draft proposals, before formal submission of definite conclusions on the responsibility of the Government.
§ MR. SMEATONWill some share of effective control over taxation be given to native statesmen?
§ MR. BUCHANANI gave as full a statement as possible on that subject last Wednesday week.