HC Deb 18 May 1931 vol 252 cc1573-4
16. Mr. BRACKEN

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the privilege of motoring through Simla, which has recently been extended to Mr. Gandhi and his associates, will also be extended to all ruling Princes, Governors of provinces, judges, Moslem leaders, and other eminent persons?

17. Mr. HANNON

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which Mr. Gandhi's motor-car was accorded privileges on his approach to Simla which have hitherto been denied to ruling Princes?

Mr. BENN

This is a matter which I propose to leave to the discretion of the authorities in India.

Mr. BRACKEN

Does the Secretary of State believe that privileges should be granted to Mr. Gandhi which are not granted to the Indian Princes?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Will the Secretary of State be good enough to answer Question 17, which he was answering at the same time, and which asks whether he will make a statement on the circumstances under which this motor-car was accorded privileges? He has not made any statement upon it.

Mr. BENN

My answer was that it was a matter which I proposed to leave to the authorities in India.

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Smithers.

Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

On a point of Order. May I ask whether your attention has been called to the fact that my hon. Friend here who had a question on the Paper wished to ask a supplementary question and was not afforded an opportunity of doing so?

Mr. SPEAKER

There are so many supplementary questions that I really must draw the line somewhere.

Mr. HACKING

Is it not a fact that, if my hon. Friend had received an answer from the Secretary of State, there would have been no necessity for a supplementary question?

Mr. SPEAKER

Hon. Members must not always expect to be satisfied with the answer.