§ 45. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister whether the Viceroy and Governor-General of India is appointed without any specified term to his office, and, until the appointment of his successor, whether he is at liberty to receive and forward to the Secretary of State for India petitions relating to the length of such term of office; and whether the Secretary of State for India is competent to deal with any such petition, whether addressed directly to himself or forwarded by the Government of India?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, the Secretary of State is competent to bring any such petition, if he thinks fit, to the notice of the Prime Minister, with a view to His Majesty's pleasure being obtained.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the Secretary of State mean the Secretary of State in Council, and will the position be the same as it is now after the suppression of the Indian Council contemplated in the Bill before another place.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI was referring to the Secretary of State as an individual.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLAs there is some doubt in this matter does not the Viceroy of India cease to be Viceroy the moment he leaves India, and is it usual for Viceroys to ask for reappointment, and did not Lord Curzon of Kedleston do so?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have answered the question on the Paper.