HC Deb 12 June 1918 vol 106 cc2176-7
5. Sir HERBERT ROBERTS

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make any further statement in regard to the Report submitted to the War Cabinet with reference to the proposals for the reform of the Government of India?

Mr. MONTAGU

The Viceroy and I have embodied our proposals for carrying out the decision of His Majesty's Government of August last in the form of a Report to the War Cabinet. It will be remembered that in the August announcement it was stated that ample opportunity would be afforded for public discussion of the proposals, which would be submitted in due course to Parliament. Owing to their heavy pre-occupation with the immediate work of the War, the Government have not yet been able to consider the Report and to formulate their conclusions upon the proposals contained in it. But they have decided that it shall be presented to Parliament as soon as sufficient copies are available in India and here, so as to afford the opportunity for public discussion promised in the August announcement, and so that, in coming to their final decision, the Government may have the advantage of considering any suggestions to which its publication may give rise.

Sir H. ROBERTS

Can my right hon. Friend state approximately when this Report will be issued, and whether, when it is issued, an opportunity will be afforded this House to discuss it?

Mr. MONTAGU

I think, approximately, it wilt be published at the end of this month. As regards the other question of my hon. Friend, perhaps when the Report is published he will renew his question to the Leader of the House.

Sir J. D. REES

Is it not clear that it would be far better to defer any general discussion such as arises on the East India Revenue Accounts—commonly called the Budget—until after a discussion on these proposals can take place in this House?

Mr. MONTAGU

That is a matter for the Leader of the House and the House itself to decide, but I should have thought a discussion on Indian affairs would be more useful after rather than before the publication of this Report.