§ 37. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for India if he can now give particulars respecting ministerial changes 1969 in the North-West Frontier Provincial Government, the present Party representation in the Legislature; and how many representatives are now prevented by detention from taking their seats.
§ Mr. AmeryThe Moslem League Ministry which took office in the North-West Frontier Province in May, 1943, recently resigned after a non-confidence motion had been carried against it. It has been replaced by a Congress Ministry under Dr. Khan Sahib, who was Premier when the Congress ministries resigned in 1939. The new Ministry has released the four Congress members of the Legislature, who had previously been detained. I cannot give precise up-to-date figures, but approximately the Congress Party has 21 representatives and the Moslem League 13 in a House of 50 members. There are, in addition, a number of small independent groups.
§ Mr. SorensenWhy were these four released? Was it for any strategic reason?
§ Mr. AmeryI cannot say. The matter has always been in the discretion of the Provincial Government.