HC Deb 14 April 1930 vol 237 c2607
4. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now state the date when the Simon Commission Report will be published?

Mr. BENN

I have consulted the Chairman of the Statutory Commission and am now able to give the House the following reply:

The Statutory Commission's report will be issued in two volumes, with an interval between the publication of the first and the second. Almost the whole of the first volume is in the printer's hands. The second volume is not so far advanced. I hope to be able to make a more definite announcement as to dates of publication when the House resumes after Easter, but in the meantime I must point out that, after the whole Report is signed, processes of binding and production and the necessity of simultaneous issue in India and in this country inevitably involve some delay before it can be available for Parliament. I have every reason to know that no time is being wasted in the completion of a very heavy task.

Mr. FREEMAN

Is my right hon. Friend considering the question of issuing a summary, as was suggested some time ago?

Mr. BENN

I think that that is rather a matter for the Chairman of the Commission than for me.