HC Deb 28 October 1918 vol 110 cc1089-90
15. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any conditions govern the public speaking, lecturing, and writings of the members of the Council of India; and whether, in view of their receipt of salaries from the State, such action on their part in support of any special set of official views is regarded as desirable?

Mr. MONTAGU

Members of the Council of India are not Civil servants The only restrictive condition which the law has imposed upon them is that they may not sit or vote in Parliament. I am not aware that the independence which Parliament has advisedly secured to them is ever exercised against the public interest.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is this question meant as an attack upon any particular member of the Council?

Mr. MONTAGU

I did not read it as an attack upon anybody.