HC Deb 17 July 1933 vol 280 cc1512-3
6. Duchess of ATHOLL

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that a questionnaire was issued last summer by the Government of India asking the provincial Governments to ascertain the views of officers of the services and members of the public on such questions as communal tension, the loyalty and morale of the police, the position of the civil disobedience movement, and other matters having an important bearing on the proposed constitutional reforms; whether the result of these inquiries was embodied in a Blue Book; and, if so, whether he will allow the Blue Book to be made public

Mr. BUTLER

I am not aware of the issue by the Government of India of any questionnaire of this nature.

Duchess of ATHOLL

Will my hon. Friend take steps to ascertain whether a questionnaire of this nature was not issued last summer?

Mr. BUTLER

The Government of India is constantly addressing the local Governments in the ordinary course of administration on a variety of diverse subjects. If my Noble Friend will furnish me privately with the information on which the question is based, I will endeavour to identify the circular which she has in mind.

Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

Surely it is possible for the hon. Gentleman to send a telegram to the Viceroy to ascertain whether such a questionnaire has been issued?

Mr. BUTLER

I have already replied to that in my initial answer, in which I said I was not aware of the issue by the Government of India of a questionnaire of this nature. I can only supple- merit that by saying that the Government of India is always addressing the local Governments on matters of all sorts.

Sir A. KNOX

Has the hon. Gentleman definitely asked whether this has been issued?