§ 7. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the introduction of Mr. Pradhan's modified Local Option Bill into the Bombay Legislature was vetoed by the Governor, Sir Leslie Wilson, after consultation with the Viceroy and the Secretary of State, he will say on what grounds the Secretary of State took the step of refusing permission to allow discussion of this subject?
§ Earl WINTERTONSir Leslie Wilson did not consult my Noble Friend before refusing to allow the introduction of this Bill.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask whether Sir Leslie Wilson has given any grounds for his refusal to allow discussion of this Bill?
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs it not the practice that no grounds need be given?
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKIs it not the policy of the Secretary of State to leave 887 to local government and governors discretion in these matters?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answer to all three questions is, I think, that it is within the statutory competence of the Governor of Bombay to refuse to allow the Bill to be introduced, and there is no obligation upon him, tinder law or by constitutional practice, to give any reason for so doing.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask whether, in view of the moderate character of this Bill, we are to understand that the Governor will not allow any discussion of any question of local option?
§ Earl WINTERTONThat is a question, if I may say so, that I do not think I am entitled to answer.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the Noble Lord—
§ Sir H. CRAIKOn a point of Order. Is it not the rule that the proper place for questions of this sort is the Legislature of Bombay, and not here?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did not see anything in the original question to which I could take objection, but I do not think the matter ought to be pursued.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhat I wanted to ascertain was whether we in this House can find out in any way the grounds of the Governor's objection to this Bill.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat has been already answered by the Minister.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLIs it to the advantage of this House or the administration of Indian affairs that matters of this kind should be discussed, question and answer, in the way the right hon. Gentleman is doing?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI do not wish to fly in the face of your ruling, Mr. Speaker, but are we not entitled to find out what actuates the Governor in preventing this discussion?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is not a matter for this House.