§ 45. Mr. Sorensenasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government propose, in the near future, to introduce legislation to enable the Indian peoples democratically to control the Indian Central Government and to establish self-government in certain British colonies?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon)The provisions of Part II of the Government of India Act, 1935, when brought into operation, will render the Indian Central Government to a large extent responsible to the Indian Legislature, and His Majesty's Government are not contemplating in the near future any further legislation for that purpose, nor for the purpose of establishing self-government in any British Colony.
§ Mr. SorensenSeeing that the right hon. Gentleman qualified his reply in regard to the further development of self-government in India, will he not try to demonstrate to the world our democratic professions by seeing that this legislation is introduced?
§ Sir J. SimonThe provisions made in the Act of 1935 were the result of a great 1117 deal of thought on the part of everybody in the House, and I do not think I can suggest that there should be any change.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greater portion of politically-conscious India is towards the further development of Indian self-government?