§ Sir HENRY COTTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, under the rules and regulations regarding the reformed councils in India, the district and local boards and municipalities constitute the electoral basis for popular representation on the provincial legislative councils; and whether, under these rules and regulations, the choice of the electorate is limited to the selection of a person who is already a member of the district or local board or municipality concerned in the election?
§ Sir H. COTTONalso asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there is included under the rules and regulations 345 regarding the reformed councils in India a rule which authorises the Government at its discretion to declare any candidate ineligible for a scat in council; and, if so, whether, before any candidate is declared ineligible, he will be informed of the grounds on which objection is taken by Government and be afforded an opportunity of meeting such objection?
The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for INDIA (The Master of Elibank)I will answer my hon. Friend's two questions together. The full text of the regulations and rules, varying as they do in the different provinces, is too voluminous to telegraph, and will not reach this country before the 18th of next month. In the meantime I believe my hon. Friend will agree that it is better not to attempt to impart their substance to the House by means of question and answer upon isolated points, a method that might give rise to misunderstanding.