HC Deb 16 November 1932 vol 270 cc1136-7
40. Mr. ATTLEE (for Colonel WEDGWOOD)

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Burmese elections indicate a majority for separation from India; and whether, in view of the attitude of the Burmese priesthood towards democratic reform, he will discount their influence on this election?

The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)

I have not yet received the complete returns, but according to my latest information, I understand that the position is:

Anti-Separationist Parties … 39
Separationist Parties … 29
Neutrals … 9
Results still to come … 3
The position is not yet clear but I may say that I have good reason to believe that many of those who have voted for anti-separation candidates are still under the mistaken impression that it is open to Burma to enter an Indian Federation on terms that will enable her to leave it when she wishes. The Prime Minister indicated on 12th January, and I stated in sufficiently plain terms on 27th June in this House that this is not a contingency which His Majesty's Government are prepared to contemplate; as I ex- plained on that occasion, the alternatives before Burma are, on the one hand, separation from India in the immediate future and the pursuit of her own political destiny on the basis of the constitution. outlined by the Prime Minister on 12th January, and, on the other, entry into the Indian Federation in which case she will remain a province of India, will be treated in exactly the same way as any other province and will have no means at her disposal for withdrawing from the Federation.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

Even if these people have made an unfortunate mistake, I presume this does not mean that the decision is final?

Sir S. HOARE

I prefer to wait until the Resolution has been debated and voted upon in the Burma Council.

Mr. ISAAC FOOT

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that this was the main question before the Burmese people and that there were not other questions preventing this from being a direct answer to the question in favour of separation?

Sir S. HOARE

I am satisfied that it was the main question, but I am not yet satisfied as to the way in which the question was put, and, as I have said, I prefer to wait until the question is debated and voted upon in the Council before I express an opinion.

Mr. SM ITHERS

What percentage of the voters could read and write?

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect that these people will vote for the policy for which they were returned?