§ 1. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what decision has been arrived at in India regarding the location of the statue of General Neill, lately removed from the Mount Road, Madras, by order of the local Congress Ministry?
The Under-Secretary of State for India (Lord Stanley)The location of this statue is a matter which is entirely within the discretion of the Madras Government. But for the information of my hon. and gallant Friend, I would draw his atten- 2 tion to the statement of the Prime Minister of Madras that, while the Government had decided to remove the statue from its present site, it was not their desire that it should leave India, but that, on the contrary, it was their intention to preserve it with care and with respect.
§ Sir A. KnoxCan the Noble Lord say what site will be given to this statue in India?
§ Sir A. KnoxIs it not within the power of the Governor to issue instructions to prevent an action like the removal of a statue, which is likely to hurt the feelings and prestige of Europeans?
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennIn view of that answer, Mr. Speaker, might I ask whether a matter of this kind, which, as the Noble Lord has said, is entirely within the discretion of the Madras Government, ought to form the subject of question and answer here?
§ Mr. SpeakerProbably it ought not, but it is difficult to decide beforehand whether the question is one for which the Government is responsible. The Noble Lord has answered quite correctly, that it is not.