HC Deb 02 May 1940 vol 360 cc899-901
70. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any statement to make respecting political developments in India, and in particular in regard to Mr. Gandhi's observations on the recent Debate on India in this House?

71. Sir Stanley Reed

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has official information that the Indian National Congress might be prepared to accept a smaller body than a constituent assembly, representing all parties, communities and interests, to frame the principles for the development of the Indian constitution; and whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to encourage the convening of such a body with the least possible delay?

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

I have no statement to make respecting political developments in India. I presume that, in the last part of his Question, the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) is referring to Mr. Gandhi's telegram to an English newspaper, in which he gave it as his personal opinion that the suggestion made in the course of the Debate to convene a committee of leaders to reach preliminary agreement was attractive, provided that the persons so convened were elected according to an acceptable procedure. I do not think I can usefully comment, beyond saying that the Governor-General and my Noble Friend the Secretary of State would welcome the coming together for discussion of persons capable of leading the public opinion of the various sections in India; and they are convinced that the chances of such a body producing results would diminish proportionately with increases in its numbers. The method of convening the members of such a body is obviously a question for the parties whom they represent.

Mr. Sorensen

Could not the Minister take the initiative and see whether the suggestion of a conference is acceptable or whether he could appoint some small body as suggested by the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed).

Sir H. O'Neill

If the idea of such a conference is likely to be acceptable to the different parties in India I am sure that the Viceroy would do what he could to help towards such a result.