HC Deb 03 June 1918 vol 106 cc1219-20
13. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will undertake to submit his proposals for the amendment of the Indian Government to Parliament in the form of a Bill; and, if not, in what way does he propose to submit them to Parliament?

Mr. MONTAGU

As I stated in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on the 28th May, the proposals that the Viceroy and I are submitting to the Prime Minister are embodied in a Report, and this is now before the War Cabinet. My hon. Friend will realise that the grave preoccupations of the War Cabinet at the present time have made it impossible for them to come to a decision yet as to the course that should be adopted. In accordance with the announcement in Parliament of the 20th August last, ample opportunity will be afforded for the public discussion of proposals resulting from my mission to India, and if His Majesty's Government decide to give effect to the recommendations it will be necessary in due course to introduce a Bill for the purpose.