HC Deb 22 March 1945 vol 409 cc970-1
20. Mr. Edmund Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement as to the steps which have been taken and are being taken for a return to responsible government in the Indian Provinces.

Mr. Amery

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member on 21st December and to the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Farnham (Mr. G. Nicholson) on the 8th March.

Mr. Harvey

Does not the change of Government in the North-West Province give reason for hope in other Provinces?

Mr. Amery

That is certainly a very interesting advance.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Ghaffar Khan has now been released?

Mr. Amery

I cannot say. The release of detained persons in the various Provinces is in the first instance a matter for the Provincial Government themselves to decide.