HC Deb 02 October 1939 vol 351 c1653
1. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he has considered the statement of policy recently issued by the working committee of the Indian National Congress calling on the British Government to defend its claim to the title of defender of democracy by granting full democratic rights to the Indian people, including the right of self-determination and the granting of a constituent assembly; and what measures it is proposed to take to satisfy these demands?

The Under-Secretary of State for India (Sir Hugh O'Neill)

I am still not in a position to say more than that the Governor-General is keeping in the closest possible touch with the situation. He has already seen Mr. Gandhi, and is seeing in the next day or two other leading members of the Congress Working Committee, and other important leaders.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister not aware of the feeling which exists in the country about the Government's war aims, and would it not clarify the situation if we had a democratic constituent assembly in India and a new Government in this country?

Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman

Is it not a fact that certain other countries have an eye on India, and is not India much better and safer with us?