§ 4. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what instructions have been issued to the three political officers detailed to visit the Princes in connection with the draft Instruments of Accession?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe gist of the instructions given to these political officers by His Excellency the Viceroy was that they should discuss with the Rulers of the States they visited and with their advisers any difficulties which they had found in estimating the effects of the provisions of the Act, and any proposals which the Rulers had in mind as to the reservations they would desire to make in their Instruments of Accession, with a view to assisting them in determining their attitude towards accession. The officers were further instructed to report direct to His Excellency the results of their discussions and the extent to which they had succeeded in removing by their explanations any difficulties brought to their notice.
§ Sir A. KNOXWill the Under-Secretary take steps to see that these officers are warned that no undue pressure is to be brought to bear upon the Princes to agree with the Instruments of Accession?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that the Princes have expressed their satisfaction that this assistance is being given.