HC Deb 20 July 1931 vol 255 c1046
26. Major POLE

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any further steps have been taken in the constitution of the committee which it was proposed to set up under the chairmanship of the general officer commanding the Burma independent district to consider and report how best a Burma defence force can be organised?

Mr. BENN

The committee will probably complete its work about the end of this month.

30. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is yet in a position to announce the arrangements for the proposed Round Table Conference on Burma; the terms of reference and the membership; and whether it will be within the province of the conference to consider the advisability of coming into the federation of the rest of India?

Mr. BENN

I am not yet able to make any statement on this subject, but hope to be in a position to do so shortly.

Mr. FREEMAN

Do the pledges given by this country to India include Burma, and can the right hon. Gentleman say that any constitution given to Burma alone will not be inferior to that of the rest of India?

Mr. BENN

All the pledges made to Burma as part of India stand.

Mr. FOOT

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Federal Structure Committee of the Round Table Conference whose names are to be announced to-morrow will include the representatives of Burma?

Mr. BENN

I would rather the hon. Member await the announcement.