§ 5. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet any news to give as to the restoration of the west stepway to the trustees of the Shwedagon Pagoda, which has been so long under the consideration of the military authorities in Burma?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am informed that the relinquishment of the portion of the outer Pagoda precincts occupied by the military authorities is an integral part of a comprehensive scheme for the removal of the Cantonment of Rangoon to a site some 15 miles away. Definite proposals to this end are now in progress between the Government of India and the local authorities, but negotiations for the exchange of land are likely to take longer than I had anticipated. I am in communication with the Government of India on the subject.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question has now been under discussion for nearly three years. Can he give some assurance to the people of Burma that the Government do contemplate the earliest possible relinquishment of that site?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have already given an assurance on the matter to the House, but it is part of a larger scheme, and I am afraid that I cannot act until the scheme is complete.