§ 12. Mr. WELLOCKasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information as to whether it is the Viceroy's intention to consult leaders of the congress party regarding attendance at the round-table conference?
13. Mr. MARDY-JONESasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India propose to grant a general amnesty for all political prisoners as a preliminary to the convening of the proposed round-table conference; and, if not, can he state what prospects are there that the representative political parties in India will appoint representatives to attend the round-table conference?
§ Mr. BENNThe policy of the Government was stated on 1st November last, namely, that the conference should be representative of the different parties and interests in British India and that policy remains unchanged. As to question No. 13 I pointed out to my hon. Friend on 23rd June the difficulty of considering his suggestion.
§ Mr. WELLOCKIs it not the case that the Viceroy in his statement said that he would consult the various sections of Indian opinion; and is not the Congress party one of the sections which should be consulted?
§ Mr. BENNThe Viceroy is in constant communication with the leaders of Indian opinion, but beyond that I can say nothing.
Mr. JONESIs it not time, in view of the end of the present Session, that Parliament should know definitely what is going to be done in regard to getting the party leaders together?
§ Mr. CHARLES BUXTONMay I ask if the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been called to the statement of the party leaders in the Legislature at Simla, a most able and statesmanlike document, dealing with the question of amnesty and putting it in relation to the calling off of the Civil Disobedience Campaign; and whether, in view of the very timely nature of the statement, he will consider making any special response?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEBefore the right hon. Gentleman replies, will he make sure that an amnesty would ameliorate the present situation?