§ 5. Mr. LAWSON (for Mr. T. WILLIAMS)asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the willingness of the Indian National Congress to co-operate with the Government and in the Round Table Conference, as indicated by Mr. Gandhi's assurance of 17th September, any steps have been taken, or are being taken, by the Government of India to secure such cooperation?
§ Sir S. HOAREI presume that the hon. Member's question has reference to an interview between Mr. Gandhi and Press correspondents reported as having occurred on 27th (not 17th) September, in which he is stated to have said he was ready
to endorse any worthy suggestion for cooperation by the Congress with Government and the Round Table Conferencewith the qualification that he emphasised and underlined the adjective "worthy." The initiative lies with Mr. Gandhi. As I said in my speech in this House on 29th April, if Mr. Gandhi has a disposition to restore the relations which existed at the Round Table Conference he will not find the slightest difficulty in conveying that fact to the Government who will earnestly consider the position thus created.