HC Deb 10 July 1919 vol 117 cc2008-10
59. Colonel YATE

asked the Prime Minister whether, considering that the records have been searched and no case has been discovered in which both the Minister and the Under-Secretary of the Department concerned have ever been appointed to sit upon a Select Committee and to vote on the decisions to be arrived at, he will reconsider the question of the advisability of creating a new precedent and of breaking with the old-established precedents of the House in the case of the Select Committee on the Government of India Bill, to which both the Secretary of State for India and the Under-Secretary have just been appointed?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not think it possible to alter the decision which the House has taken in this matter.

Colonel YATE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of the Joint Select Committee on the Cippenham Depot Inquiry there was neither a Minister nor an Under-Secretary, and can he say why, if there was no necessity for a Minister on that Inquiry, there is a necessity for a Minister and an Under-Secretary on the Inquiry into the Government of India Bill? Does he not realise that these appointments tend to give rise to a feeling in India that the Government desire to vote down all the proposals and opinions that do not coincide with those of the Secretary of State?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I cannot believe that for a moment. If you look at the Committee, composed of those nominated by another place and by the House of Commons, I cannot imagine any body which is more certain to be representative of all views. I cannot see what objection there is to Ministers, who naturally ought to know something about the subject, being there to take part in the discussions, if they can find time.

Colonel YATE

Will the right hon. Gentleman decide that the Ministers on this Select Committee are not to vote?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is treating Ministers even worse than my hon. Friend is supposed to treat them. Why should they not vote? The decisions and the votes will probably be published, and anyone who attaches any value to the Ministers' votes will see what they did and what the others did.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a distinct difference of opinion on points of substance between the Secretary of State and several of the Provincial Governors? The Secretary of State only will be represented, and the Provincial Governors have no opportunity of being there and voting.

Mr. BONAR LAW

My hon. Friend is mistaken if he thinks that the views to which he is referring will not be adequately represented on the Committee.

Colonel YATE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State said that he was the only constitutional representative of the Governors of India?

There is no representative of the Governors on the Committee, whereas the other side is fully represented.

Mr. BONAR LAW

Of course the Secretary of State is the only official representative of the Government of India, but that does not prevent the other views being expressed and put forward by those who uphold them who are not members of the Government.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that they cannot vote on the proceedings of the Committee?