HC Deb 03 May 1937 vol 323 cc765-6
6. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has further information concerning the present position in India?

Mr. Butler

I have no fresh information to give the House about the present political situation.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

When do the Government propose to summon the Provincial Assemblies?

Mr. Butler

Not at present.

8. Mr. Morgan Jones

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he would be prepared to suggest a formula of agreement with the Indian Congress leaders, whereby the issue in dispute might be resolved by an appeal to the judges of the federal court acting as arbitrators?

Mr. Butler

I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 26th April last the Government's views on the subject of an arbitral tribunal. Similar considerations apply to the suggestion now made by the hon. Member.

Mr. Jones

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that nothing will impede the Government from doing whatever it can to secure the convening of these Provincial Assemblies which have been elected some six or eight weeks ago?

Mr. Butler

The Assemblies must be called together within six months of the inauguration of the Act, and it will be for each individual Governor to summon the Assembly before that time.

Mr. Jones

Does the hon. Gentleman regard it as a desirable situation that this period of six months should elapse before some initiative is undertaken by the Governors to settle this difficult and unfortunate situation?

Mr. Butler

The Assemblies must be summoned before the period of six months, and we must leave it to the individual Governors to use their discretion in the matter.

Mr. Benn

What precisely is the difficulty in the Governor-General summoning the leaders in respect of the six Provinces where they have won the elections?

Mr. Butler

The Governors of the individual Provinces have already summoned the leaders of majority parties and given them an invitation. This is essentially a matter for the Governors of Provinces.

Mr. Lansbury

Is it not a fact that there has been a misunderstanding between the Governors and the representatives of Congress? Surely that is a matter that the Governor-General should take in hand and clear up in the whole of the Provinces concerned?

Mr. Butler

I have indicated the attitude of the Governor-General in reply to previous questions. If he is approached, he will certainly give the matter consideration.

Mr. Lansbury

Surely the Governor-General will not stand on his dignity in a matter of this kind and will take the initiative? He is in the best and strongest position, and it is his business to bring about a settlement.

Mr. Gallacher

Is not the misunderstanding whether it is the British or the Indians who are to control India?