§ 48. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to inform himself of the opinions held in India as to the appointment of the hon. Member for Leicester to the Public Services Commission, and particularly of the criticisms upon that appointment contained in that section of the Indian Press which represents more particularly the opinions of the Europeans in the public services in India?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government have a general knowledge of the character of the criticisms to which the hon. Member alludes, as of criticisms of a different kind directed against the appointment of some other members of the Royal Commission, but they do not consider that in any of the cases there is reason to submit for approval any modification in its composition.
§ Sir J. D. REESWould the Prime Minister allow, for instance, the "Pioneer" or certain papers in India representing the British services, and in that case does he decide to proceed with this appointment in spite of the statement of that representative of Europeans in India that it is regarded as an insult—I quote the word—insult?
§ Mr. O'GRADYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these particular papers mentioned-in the question, not only object to the appointment of the hon. Member (Mr. Ramsay Macdonald), but to the whole composition of the Committee?