§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India whether it is intended to publish the full correspondence regarding the peace efforts of Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. M. Jayakar with certain Congress leaders and His Excellency the Viceroy as a Parliamentary Paper?
§ Mr. BENNI am placing in the Library copies of a statement issued by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. Jayakar on 5th September of the course of their conversations with the Congress leaders.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes that answer what I ask about the full correspondence; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the full correspondence has been published in India 1287 with the Viceroy's concurrence? Is that going to be placed in the Library, and how many copies will there be?
§ Mr. BENNI will make as many copies available as will meet the general convenience. I think that the document is that referred to by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn view of the importance of the matter, will the right hon. Gentleman make it available to all Members, so that they can see the course of these very important discussions?
§ Mr. BENNIf there is any general wish that it should be issued, I will take note of it, and will see what can be done.
§ 10. 10. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government is prepared to accept the terms put forward by Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Motilal Nehru, Mr. Jawarhalal Nehru, and other leaders of the Indian National Congress, as a basis of settlement of the Indian constitutional problem, with a view to making the Round-Table Conference representative of Indian opinion
§ Mr. BENNAs I have already stated, I will place in the Library a copy of the statement issued by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. Jayakar. It includes letters from His Excellency the Governor-General to which I can add nothing.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYWhich of the terms which have been offered by these leaders are unacceptable to His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. BROCKWAYCan the right hon. Gentleman indicate which of these terms are not in accordance with the policy of the party which this Government represents?
§ Mr. BENNI cannot do better than say that the matter is reviewed in these documents, which I am publishing.
§ Mr. SMITHERSExactly what constitutional rights have the gentlemen mentioned in this question to put forward any demands
§ 15. Sir SAMUEL HOAREasked the Secretary of State for India whether it is intended to present the Government of India's despatch on constitutional questions to Parliament; and, if so, on what date?
§ Mr. BENNThe Government of India's despatch will be made available to members of the round-table Conference and to Members of Parliament on Thursday next.
§ Major GRAHAM POLEMay we assume that this despatch represents the views of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is another question.
§ Mr. BENNI should like to say that His Majesty's Government are publishing the despatch for general information, and that at this stage they are formulating no proposals.