HC Deb 25 February 1924 vol 170 cc6-7
2. Mr. BAKER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will consider the desirability of appointing a Commission to examine the working of the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms with a view to seeing what greater powers and what extensions of the franchise are immediately possible?

11. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Secretary of State for India has been called to the fact that a Resolution has been passed in the Legislative Assembly at Delhi asking that a round-table conference should take place between representatives of the British Government and Indian Nationalists for the purpose of discussing what further measures of reform could be undertaken in order to establish peace in India; and whether His Majesty's Government and the Government of India will give favourable consideration to this proposal?

Mr. RICHARDS

This question is receiving the most serious consideration, and if the hon. Members will repeat their questions at a later date, I hope to be in a position to give them an answer.

Sir HENRY CRAIK

Are we to understand that the Government have reversed the policy of the Act of 1919 and propose to speed up the time when a revision of the constitution should take place, instead of at the end of 10 years?

Mr. RICHARDS

That is not the inference to be drawn from my reply. What I replied was that the Government is seriously considering the whole position in India at the moment.

Earl WINTERTON

Will the Government consider the desirability of allowing the House to discuss the question of the appointment of a Royal Commission, should the Government decide to appoint a Royal Commission, before the announcement is actually made, in view of the great importance of the matter?

Mr. RICHARDS

I will certainly make that representation to my Noble Friend.

Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the electorate at present represents only 2 per cent. of the wishes of the people of India?

Mr. RICHARDS

Yes; that is one of the great difficulties.