§ 7. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the local Governments of India, before submitting their opinion on the Criminal Law Amendment Bill to the Government of India, consulted Indian Ministers in charge of transferred subjects in the Provinces, or whether the opinion submitted by local Governments to Delhi originate from the Governor and Members of the Executive Council?
§ 3. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any Minister in any Indian Province was consulted, directly or indirectly, by the Government of India on the Criminal Law Amendment Act; and, if so, in bow many Provinces, if any, the legislation had the support of Indian Ministers?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe views expressed to the Government of India on the Criminal Law Amendment Act were the considered opinions of the various Provincial Governments. My Noble Friend sees no reason for inquiring into the means by which each Government arrived at its conclusion.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIs it possible that, in accordance with that answer, only the official elements in local Governments will be considered and not the representatives of the Indian people?
§ Mr. BUTLERThis matter falls constitutionally within the sphere of the Governors in Council, and my right hon. Friend could not undertake to make inquiries as to Governors' decisions.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDo local Governments who are responsible for proposals of this description ever take into consideration the opinions of Indian Ministers?
§ Mr. BUTLERI am afraid we must leave to the Governors in Council—I underline "in Council"—the manner in which they deal with these matters.