§ 7. Sir J. D. REESasked what circumstances connected with the recently disestablished province of Eastern Bengal and Assam justify the attribution to it of the name and character of a Mahomedan State?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI expressly repudiated the attributive of such a name and character to the province. My point was that some of the criticism directed against our policy assumes that the partition deliberately created a Mahomedan province which we had now destroyed.
§ Sir J. D. REES"State" was the word. The Under-Secretary himself used the expression. May I ask him if he repudiates it?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not attach any importance to the distinction between "State" and "province." I was answering the criticism directed by hon. Members opposite to the province of Eastern Bengal as being set up in order to manufacture a Mahomedan State.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the hon. Gentleman suggest there is any resemblance between a "State" and a "province"?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have given my answer to the hon. Gentleman, and my position in the matter is quite clear.