HC Deb 30 June 1930 vol 240 cc1579-80
5. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any decision has been reached regarding the translation of the report of the Indian Statutory Commission into foreign languages and into the principal languages in use in India; and, if so, what arrangement have been made?

Mr. BENN

The question is still under consideration.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when a decision will be come to in view of the urgency of this question?

Mr. BENN

I am afraid I cannot fix an exact date, but we have been pursuing inquiries for some time as to the practicability of the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what? obstacles are in the way? I cannot understand the difficulty of translating this report into European languages, though there may be difficulties in translating it into some Indian languages.

Mr. BENN

The obstacle is not concerned with the problem of erudition, but of publication.

11. Captain PETER MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to issue a summary, at a popular price, of the reports of the Indian Statutory Commission, in view of the length of the complete reports and of the cost of the two volumes thereof?

Mr. BENN

This question is being carefully examined. I may, however, point out that, so far as circulation in this country is concerned, large numbers of the full report have been and are still being bought, and that several newspapers have issued full and excellent summaries.

Captain MACDONALD

In view of the comparatively small number of copies of this report which have been made available, will the right hon. Gentleman consider this proposal?

Mr. BENN

I answered a question on that point a few days ago.

15. Mr. WELLOCK

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the Round Table Conference which is to meet in the autumn; and, if not, when he expects to be able to make a statement?

13. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

asked the Secretary of State for India when the Government proposes to announce the further procedure in detail with respect to the consideration of the Simon Commission?

Mr. BENN

For the moment I have nothing to add to the statements that have already been made.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Is it pro-posed to make a full statement before the House adjourns at the end of the next month?

Mr. BENN

I cannot say at present.

69. Mr. REMER (for Captain CROOKSHANK)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a free copy of both parts of the Indian Statutory Commission's Report is being sent to every public library in this country; and, if so, how soon they will be despatched to the libraries?

Mr. WILLIAM WHITELEY (Lord of the Treasury)

The answer is in the negative. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that all public free libraries maintained out of the rates may obtain copies of Government publications at one half the published price.