§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (THE MARQUESS OF ZETLAND)My Lords, I beg leave to introduce a Bill to divide the Government of India Act, 39 1935, into two portions, and to make in the wording thereof certain changes which either are consequential on the division or remove minor errors; to provide for the certification, the deposit with the Rolls of Parliament, and the printing of the said portions as if they were separate Acts of Parliament; to secure that the said portions have effect in lieu of the said Government of India Act, 1935, as from the date of the passing of that Act; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. I hope your Lordships will not be unduly alarmed at the length of the title of this Bill. Its main object is to divide the Government of India Act into two separate Acts in order that both India and Burma may have their own statutory authority for the constitutional changes which are about to be made. The Bill is, I believe, wholly non-controversial, and I hope in those circumstances your Lordships will be prepared to take the Second Reading on Thursday and the subsequent stages as soon as possible thereafter. I beg to move that the Bill be read a first time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 1a.—(The Marquess of Zetland.)
§ On Question, Bill read 1a, and to be printed.