§ MR. LAIDLAWI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that, by the conditions under which the newly constituted Simla Municipal Committee is to be formed, the constitutional method of electing representatives has been abolished, and that representatives are now to be selected by nomination, and that the largest section of ratepayers in Simla, viz., the owners of private house property, are to have only one representative, out of a total of seven nominated members; and will he take steps to bring about a continuance of the elective system, and also see that the owners of private house property have at least two representatives to protect their large and important interests.
§ MR. MORLEYIn reconstituting the Simla Municipal Committee in the manner described the Local Government has acted within its legal powers. The Municipal Act of the Punjab leaves it to the Government to settle whether a municipal committee shall be constituted by appointment or by selection. The Government, which has a predominating interest in the good administration of Simla, and has largely financed the municipality, considers that the change 1206 will secure greater efficiency and a fairer representation of interests. I am not prepared to interfere in the way suggested.