§ 28. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for India what decision he has come to regarding the number of Indian States who must adhere to the proposed scheme of federation in order to make the scheme effective?
§ Sir S. HOAREI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the relevant passage of my speech at the conclusion of the last Session of the Round Table Conference which is printed at page 139 of Command Paper 4238, and to which at present I can add nothing.
§ Sir A. KNOXDid not the right hon. Gentleman state in this House on 27th June that all the Princes would have to join?
§ Sir S. HOARENo, Sir. If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to my speech he will see that I never said anything of the kind.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not the case that in the first proof the word "all" was clearly apparent and that the word "all" was taken out in the second proof?
§ Sir S. HOAREI have no memory of any such correction at all. I have always made it quite clear that federation must be effective federation.
§ Sir A. KNOXWill the right ton. Gentleman assure the House that there will be no whittling down to half as stated in his speech at the Round Table Conference?
§ Sir S. HOAREI do not know why the hon. and gallant Member should doubt the sincerity of the answer I have given.