§ 45. Earl WINTERTONasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the importance of Burma, historically and in population, area, and resources, opportunity will be given to the House in the present Session to discuss the report of the recent Burma Round Table Conference and the declaration of policy in regard to constitutional advance in that country made by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am obliged to the Noble Lord for drawing attention to this matter which is of great importance both to Burma and to the Empire as a whole and which certainly ought to come before Parliament at the proper time. But I am afraid that it is not possible to make any definite arrangement at present; and it would be preferable in any case to defer a Debate in this House until the people of Burma have had an opportunity to record their decision on the question of separation from India. For it is on this decision, as the Noble Lord is aware and as the Prime Minister's statement made clear, that the policy announced at the close of the Conference depends.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Council in Burma has passed a resolution unanimously in favour of the decision reached by our conference; and, in view of the fact that the matter has already been discussed in the Burma Council, will he try to find time, if possible, before the end of the Session for a discussion of the matter in this House?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am aware of that, and I am very glad to see it. I should be only too pleased to accede to the Noble Lord's request if we could find time, but 208 he knows as well as I do the difficulty which arises from the fact that we are so close to Easter.