ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE. (Hansard, 7 February 1933)

§ 16. Mr. LEVY
asked the Secretary of State for India if he will make a statement on the proceedings and results of the Round Table Conference?

§ 17. Captain PETER MACDONALD
asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now make any statement as to the result of the Round Table Conference and the policy of the Government in respect thereof?

§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Sir Samuel Hoare)
The results achieved by the third session of the Round Table Conference will be found in a volume presented to Parliament on 31st January (Cmd. 4238). I do not think it is necessary for me to attempt to review these results, satisfactory as they were, since it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to lay before Parliament in the form of a White Paper their full proposals for a federal constitution for India and to invite Parliament before the Easter Recess to set up a Joint Select Committee of both Houses, with power to confer with Indians, to examine and report upon these proposals.

§ Captain MACDONALD
Is the House to have an opportunity of a Debate or discussion on India before this legislation is introduced?

§ Sir S. HOARE
Yes, Sir; I should think that the House will have many such opportunities.

§ Brigadier - General Sir HENRY CROFT
Will there be a Debate on the White Paper?

§ Sir S. HOARE
Yes, Sir.

§ Mr. ANNESLEY SOMERVILLE
How soon may we expect the White Paper?

§ Sir S. HOARE
My hon. Friend will see that in my answer I have spoken of a date before the Easter Recess. It is the date to which we are working, and whether we shall succeed in having it ready by that time, I cannot say. I hope that we shall.

§ Mr. KIRKWOOD
Arising out of the reply that there will be many opportunities for the House to discuss the situation in India, will an opportunity be given to the House to discuss the sentences which have been passed on the Meerut prisoners?

§ Sir S. HOARE
That is a question which should be addressed to the Leader of the House.