§ 4. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for India whether the persons, or either of them, inquiring into the state of affairs in Kashmir are expected to report on the rival merits of autocracy and responsible government for that state; and whether any report made by these gentlemen will be made public?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir. His Highness the Maharaja has, however, announced that on the completion of the present inquiries it is his intention to convene a conference over which Mr. Glancy will preside and at which the various sections of his subjects will be represented, for the purpose of discussing the most suitable means of introducing constitutional developments in the State. The results of the present inquiries will be reported to His Highness. I do not know whether it is his intention to publish the reports.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODSeeing that His Highness is being protected by the British, will the British Government or the Government of India be represented in any way at that inquiry?
§ Sir S. HOAREIf my right hon. and gallant Friend will look at the answer that I gave last week, he will see that I gave particulars about the two inquiries. I can add nothing to the information that I then gave.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBut in the answer given last week it was clearly stated that the British Government took no part in that inquiry. May I ask whether this further inquiry held by the Maharaja into the possibility of responsible government in Kashmir will be attended by any representatives of the Government of India?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe answer is No, Sir. This is an inquiry instituted by His Highness.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre the Government of India not interested in the Government of Kashmir?
§ Sir S. HOARENaturally, we are very interested in a great many things, but this is not an occasion on which we can intervene.