§ 2. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for India why the official members of the United Provinces legislature supported an amendment to the Town Areas Bill which would have imposed a communal electoral system on Panchayats and local government; why such action was taken, in view of the opinions on this system laid down in the Donoughmore and Hilton Young Reports and in advance of any recommendations made by the Simon Commission; and whether the Indian Government intends to extend the system while it is under consideration by the Simon Commission?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have not received the official report of the proceedings referred to, but it appears from the Indian Press that the reason given was that as communal electorates form the accepted basis for legislative councils, district boards and municipalities, it was hardly open to the official members to vote against their introduction into other elective bodies. 5 The incident in question affords no ground for the inference suggested in the last part of the question, and I am not aware that the Donoughmore and Hilton Young Reports have any bearing upon Indian conditions.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the Noble Lord find out from the Government of India whether this extension to local governments has the approval of the Government of India, or whether it is merely an idiosyncrasy of the Governor of the United Provinces?
§ Earl WINTERTONSubject to correction, I do not think this is a matter on which the authority or permission of the Government of India is necessary.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the Noble Lord aware that the question of communal representation will undoubtedly be one of the features of the Simon Report? Am I right in supposing that the Government of India do not want the issue prejudged by the Governor of the United Provinces?
§ Earl WINTERTONI must be excused from entering into controversy on an important subject like that at Question Time. I do not think any controversy need arise. I must point out to the right hon. and gallant Member that communal representation is the accepted basis for district boards and municipal councils, and therefore it is quite open to the Government of the United Provinces to instruct or allow its representatives to vote for its extension to other forms of local government in India. No question of principle therefore arises.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODFortunately, it was defeated.