HC Deb 15 July 1929 vol 230 c5
5. Mr. AYLES

asked the Secretary of State for India what status is held by the Indian Princes or their representative on the League of Nations and the International Labour Office; whether all the Indian Princes and the Indian States are represented by such representative; by whom he is appointed; and whether all the Indian States and Indian Princes, or only the Princes and States represented, are bound by the conventions or agreements entered into by such representative at Geneva?

Mr. BENN

An Indian Prince who is included in the Indian delegation to the Assembly of the League represents India as a whole in exactly the same way as the other members of the delegation, and is appointed by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Government of India. The question whether a convention or agreement which is accepted by the Indian delegation applies to the whole of India or only to British India depends entirely on its nature and terms and not on the way in which the delegation is composed.

Mr. AYLES

Do I understand that he represents the whole of the States ruled over by Princes, as well as British India?

Mr. BENN

He represents India, in as much as India is a signatory to the Treaty of Versailles.