§ 31. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Sir Sikander Hyat-Khan, the Punjab Premier, has publicly expressed his concern and embarrassment at the recent Government statement respecting the relationship of the Atlantic Charter to the future government of India; whether the. Punjab Premier has communicated with him on the matter; find whether he has any statement to make respecting this?
§ Mr. AmeryI have seen a report of the statement referred to. I can only repeat, in order to remove any possible ground for misunderstanding, that the Prime Minister's statement of 9th September with reference to the Atlantic Charter expressly made it clear that the Government's previous declarations with regard to the goal of India's attainment to free and equal partnership in the British Commonwealth, and with regard to our desire to see that goal attained with the least possible delay after the war, under a constitution framed by agreement among Indians themselves, hold good, and are in no way qualified. The answer to the remainder of the Question is in the negative.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the fact that a gentleman of this eminence, who can by no means be classified as an extremist, must have very great doubt as to the real intentions of the Government? Does not that 1105 mean that we must reconsider our whole Indian policy to satisfy people of this kind?