§ 22. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information respecting the enforced resignation of Mr. Fash ul Huq from the premiership of the Bengal Provincial Government; whether he can give the political composition of the present Government; and what representations that Government has made to the Central Government or the Governor-General respecting the food shortage?
§ Mr. AmeryI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 8th April to the honourable Member's Question regarding the resignation of Mr. Fash ul Huq. The present Bengal Ministry was formed last April of thirteen members, of whom seven, including the Chief Minister, belong to the Moslem League, three are Caste Hindus and three are representative of the Scheduled Castes. With regard to the last part of the Question the Government of India are in constant consultation with the Government of Bengal through the Regional Food Commissioner and otherwise. The Government of Bengal have also been represented at all the Conferences of Provincial and States representatives convened by the Government of India.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the right hon. Gentleman say what representations the Bengal Provincial Government have made in the past to the Central Government and whether they have been considered and acted upon by the Central Government?
§ Mr. AmeryYes, Sir, the matter has been under constant consultation and negotiation between the Bengal Government and the Central Government. I think on the whole it is the Central Government that has been busy making the representations.
§ Mr. SorensenIf it is true that the Bengal Provincial Government has made constant representations over a number of months, is it not the case that they cannot be blamed in the way they have been blamed in certain quarters?
§ Mr. AmeryNo, Sir, I said there has been constant consultation between the two Governments, but I am not able to give the particular nature of each consultation at this moment.
§ Mr. CoveCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why the resignation was enforced, and were there differences between the Prime Minister and the Governor?
§ Mr. AmeryThe resignation took place in the ordinary course of Provincial self-government, and there is a Government in Bengal to-day, which at any rate in the last test of strength enjoyed the confidence of the Legislature.
§ Mr. CoveIs it not a fact that the resignation was enforced by the Governor and that action was not taken by the Government themselves? Is it not a fact that it was dragged out of Mr. Fash ul Huq as it were and that he was compelled to resign? Why cannot the House be told that this resignation was compelled by the Governor?
§ Mr. AmeryNo, Sir, the resignation was not compelled by the Governor. The Prime Minister made it clear to the Governor that he wished to resign.
§ Mr. CoveIs it not a fact that he was confronted with his resignation in a private meeting with the Governor without any knowledge of it beforehand?
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneArising out of my right hon. Friend's first reply, is it not the case that more direct representations have been made from the Central Government to the Bengal Government than vice versa?
§ Mr. McGovernWhy not get a new Secretary of State for India?