§ 5. Mr. Sorensenasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what steps the Government of India has taken to ascertain the views of Provincial Governments in regard to the introduction of the federal pact of the Constitution; and whether the Provincial Governments on their own initiative have intimated to His Majesty's Government their own views with regard to this introduction?
§ Earl WintertonAs regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer given by my Noble Friend to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 29th November last. As regards the second part, the Legislatures of several of the Provinces in which the Congress party is in power have passed resolutions condemning the provisions in general of the Government of India Act, and urging that it be replaced by a constitution framed by a constituent assembly in India.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not the Noble Lord feel, in view of the hostility of the various assemblies, that it would be better in the circumstances at least to suspend the idea of federal government?
§ Earl WintertonNo, Sir. The hon. Member cannot be aware that the Imperial Parliament was, and continues to be, under the Government of India Act, responsible for determining the nature of the future government of British India.