§ 11. Sir Walter Smilesasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that many people in India are gravely concerned at the lack of war effort on the part of the Government of India; and whether he is able to make any statement on the subject?
§ The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)I am aware of the criticisms that have been made; but I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government of India are no less anxious than I am to develop India's war capacity to the full. May I first refer to the statement broadcast by the Commander-in-Chief in India on 31st May, in which he gave details of the measures being taken by the Government of India to raise and equip forces to India's maximum capacity, and also to expand her industrial and productive output to provide war materials and necessaries for use both in India and overseas. I am sending a copy to the Library. It must be remembered that in India, as elsewhere, the development of resources 221 in man-power is conditioned by the supply of equipment. With a view to making the best use of those resources, the Government of India and I are exploring every method of expediting the supply both of equipment and of the means of producing it, and are pressing forward with our efforts to the utmost extent that is possible without hindering the supply of essential equipment required for immediate use elsewhere in the present emergency.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonIs the Minister aware that his last speech has had a very good effect already?