§ 12. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India whether the report of the Lord Chancellor's Committee will be kept secret?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs I have already explained in answer to previous questions, it is not the function of this committee to draw up a formal report. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones) on 25th April.
§ Sir A. KNOXWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the question on the paper as to whether this report will be kept secret?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have answered the question on the Paper. There will be no report.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTIs it not the case that the work of this committee was undertaken for the information of Parliament, and should not the House be given an account of the work of the committee?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe hon. and learned Member is under a total misapprehension. The committee was not appointed to advise Parliament, but to advise the Cabinet on a whole series of constitutional and technical questions.
§ Mr. KNIGHTWas it not the work of this committee to accumulate information and suggestions for the framing of a Constitution for India, and is that not a work that would be useful for the consideration of Parliament?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have told the House more than once that this is merely a technical committee exclusively composed of experts to advise the Cabinet.
§ Sir A. KNOXWill the right hon. Gentleman impress upon the chairman and the members of the committee the absolute necessity of keeping their discussions quite secret?
§ Sir S. HOAREYes, Sir. I agree entirely with my hon. and gallant Friend.