§ 6. Sir R. CRADDOCKasked the Secretary of State for India whether His Majesty's Government will consider themselves bound by any decisions taken, either in conjunction with the delegates of the Round Table Conference or otherwise, prior to the sittings of the Joint Select Committee?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe proposals which His Majesty's Government will in due course place before the Joint Select Committee will be presented on the responsibility of His Majesty's Government alone, and it goes without saying that they will support them, including any upon which agreement has been reached with the Indian delegates at the Conference. But it will be clear from my statement of 27th June that the whole purpose of the 5 special Joint Select Committee procedure is to obtain full discussion and criticism of the proposals by Members of Parliament and, I hope, by representative Indians, before a Bill is introduced.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONIn order to preserve absolute freedom for this Committee, will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no pledges will be given at the Round Table Conference and that any representations made by the Indian representatives will simply be noted for communication to the Joint Select Committee?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have already explained the position in my speech of 27th June and subsequently on several occasions. I have nothing to add to what I have already said.