HC Deb 09 October 1940 vol 365 cc357-8
21. Mr Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further statement to make respecting the political situation in India?

The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)

As the hon. Member will be aware, both the Congress Party and the Moslem League have made public statements expressing, though for very different reasons, their inability to participate in the proposed expansion of the Governor-General's Executive Council or in the proposed all-India War Advisory Council. I have at present no further statement to make on the situation.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the right hon. Gentleman in touch with the present leader of Congress, Mr. Gandhi, and is there any likelihood of a statement of an encouraging nature being made in the near future?

Mr. Amery

The Viceroy has been in close personal touch with Mr. Gandhi, and the hon. Member will have seen the correspondence which passed between them.

Mr. Thorne

What is really standing in the way of getting this settlement?