HC Deb 13 March 1933 vol 275 cc1587-8
45. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Prime Minister whether, when this House is asked to record its judgment on the White Paper proposals of the Government for Indian reform, one Motion will be moved for approval of the White Paper proposal and the setting up of a Select Committee of both Houses jointly, or whether a vote will be taken separately on each question?

The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)

The Government do not contemplate asking the House to approve the proposals in the White Paper, but to agree to set up a Joint Select Committee for the purpose of examining and reporting on them. There will therefore be only one vote on a Motion to this effect, but the House will, of course, be free to debate the proposals.

Mr. LANSBURY

Will the House be able to discuss the question of the position of Indians at the meetings of the Joint Select Committee; will the Indians be able to put questions to witnesses, and vote, or will they be there in the position of assessors?

Mr. BALDWIN

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put that question down. I am not at this moment in a position to go further than I have done in the answer.

Brigadier-General BROWN

Will Parliament be able to approve of the proposals in the White Paper?

Sir H. CROFT

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that at least three days will be given to discuss this question, on which a large number of Members want to take part?

Mr. BALDWIN

Three days is the time allotted.

Sir HENRY CAUTLEY

Will the House be able to discuss the composition of the Joint Select Committee?

Mr. BALDWIN

There will be another Motion on the composition of the Committee. When the House has 'decided, if it thinks fit to do so, to set up the Committee, there will have to be a Motion in which the names will appear, and the House will be able to discuss it.