HC Deb 22 June 1931 vol 254 cc18-9
45. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

asked the Prime Minister whether when in his recently published correspondence with the right hon. Member for the Bewdley Division (Mr. S. Baldwin) he spoke of safeguards in the interests of India, he meant also to include safe guards in the interests of Great Britain?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by me on Monday last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison).

Sir A. KNOX

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is precisely because that answer was so vague that I put this question down? Could he now answer the question on the Paper, "Yes" or "No"?

The PRIME MINISTER

The answer I gave, especially to the supplementary, was perfectly clear.

46. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Prime Minister if he will communicate to all delegates to the new Round Table Conference the safeguards which he considers to be necessary in the interests of both Great Britain and India?

The PRIME MINISTER

His Majesty's Government's policy was stated by me at the concluding session of the Round Table Conference, and will appear in the papers circulated to the delegates.

Sir A. KNOX

Would it not be much better to tell the delegates how far we can go before they come?

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

Can the right hon. Gentleman——[Interruption].

Sir A. KNOX

On a point of Order. May I ask if it is quite impossible to put supplementary questions in order to get the truth? This is a most important matter to the whole country.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member asks a supplementary question which is purely a matter of opinion. He is not allowed to ask supplementary questions of that nature.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Will the Prime Minister make sure that the delegates attending the Round Table Conference know exactly what the position is, and that the position is not concealed by all kinds of equivocal phrases?

The PRIME MINISTER

I assume that the delegates attending the Conference are delegates of common sense and ordinary capacity who before they begin their business will read the papers which have been circulated for the purpose of enabling them to conduct their business.

Sir W. BRASS

Mr. Gandhi did not attend the last Conference, and how——

Mr. SPEAKER

Sir Kingsley Wood.