§ 2. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of His Excellency the Viceroy that the draft rules and regulations to be framed under the Government of India Act, 1919, will not be communicated to public bodies for consideration before the final adoption, by the Government of India or otherwise submitted for public criticism; and whether he will advise the Government of India that steps should be taken for the fullest consideration by the Indian public of these rules and regulations and for the expression of 383 opinion on them by recognised public bodies?
§ Mr. FISHERThe hon. Member seems to be quite mistaken. His Excellency the Viceroy, in his speech opening the current Session of the Indian Legislative Council, stated that it was his intention to take public opinion in this connexion freely into confidence and, so far as may be, to carry it with him, and that he intended to take every opportunity of laying proposals as they mature before non-official advisers. It is within my knowledge that this policy is being carried out.