HC Deb 14 November 1927 vol 210 cc602-3
8. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the cost of the Statutory Commission will be borne on the British or Indian Budget?

Earl WINTERTON

I will include this subject in the statement which I shall make in submitting to the House the Resolution regarding the Statutory Commission.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Does that mean that the Noble Lord declines to answer the question as to whether the cost of this Commission shall be borne by the English Budget or by the Indian Budget?

Earl WINTERTON

It does not mean that I decline to answer the question. It means that I will deal with the whole matter when I come to deal with the Resolution.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I ask for this definite information now, as the question appears on the Paper? I wish to know whether the cost falls on England or on India.

Earl WINTERTON

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman will have to wait until I move the Resolution to obtain that information.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is there any reason, Mr. Speaker, why the House of Commons should not know what the Government's intentions are in this matter now that there is a question on the Paper? Why should we be put off by some future statement of the Noble Lord? We have a perfect right to ask the question and to receive an answer here and now.

Earl WINTERTON

I do not think the right hon. and gallant Gentleman has any such right. I have given an undertaking, speaking with the authority attaching to my office, that I will answer the question when the Resolution is proposed. I think that is all to which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is entitled. If he asks as a matter of courtesy for an answer why I cannot give an answer now, I may say that all sorts of considerations have to be taken into account, and I am prepared to give a definite and final answer when the Resolution is moved.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Am I to understand that the Noble Lord and his Department have not given consideration to this question and that they were wholly surprised by the opposition in India?

Earl WINTERTON

No, Sir, the right hon. Gentleman is not to suppose anything of the sort. I say that the matter is being given consideration at this moment.

Mr. STEPHEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform us whether the Government have taken a decision on this matter?

Earl WINTERTON

The hon. Gentleman will get his answer when I come to propose the Resolution.