§ 4.24 p.m.
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, I beg to ask the Government whether they are in a position to make a statement regarding the attitude of India towards the war.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE MARQUESS OF ZETLAND)My Lords, I gladly respond 1128 to the invitation of the noble Lord, more particularly since it provides me with an opportunity of giving expression to the high appreciation of His Majesty's Government of the support which they have so far received from all classes in India. As your Lordships are aware, from the Princes of India there have been received most generous offers of men, money and of personal service, and from individuals in all parts of the country messages of sympathy and of support have been pouring in. His Majesty's Government have noticed with special gratification the statements which have recently been made by the Prime Ministers of the Punjab and of Bengal, offering unconditional aid to them in the struggle. They have also observed, with great appreciation, the aid which has been given to the Governors by the Ministers in all the Provinces of British India, in carrying through such measures as have been proved to be necessary as a result of the outbreak of war. Indeed, the resort to force by the German Government, following as it did upon a series of broken pledges, unparalleled surely in the history of mankind, has been unequivocally condemned by all the political Parties in India, whose leaders have expressed their unqualified sympathy with the victims of aggression. It is indeed abundantly clear that the triumph of the principles for which the Nazi Government stands would be regarded as a calamity of the utmost magnitude by all classes and communities in India.
I am bound to add, however, that in the course of a statement recenly issued those who have been authorised to speak for the Indian National Congress have indicated that they would find it difficult to co-operate wholeheartedly with Great Britain in the prosecution of the war, except upon conditions affecting the political relations between the two countries. Those conditions have, so far, been expressed only in abstract terms, and I am not at present prepared to comment upon them, but I can assure your Lordships that the Viceroy is in close personal contact with the leaders of political thought in India, including, of course, the Indian National Congress and also the All India Moslem League, who have likewise within the last few days defined their general attitude towards the war, and that he hopes immediately to discuss with 1129 them the issues which arise out of the situation.
In conclusion, should like to add that a tribute is due to the Viceroy himself, and to his colleagues in the Government of India, for the efficiency with which their preparations for meeting the emergency have been made, and for the smoothness with which they have been carried into effect.
§ 4.30 p.m.
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, I beg to thank the noble Marquess for the statement that he has made. Again I do not feel that I can comment at any length upon what he has said on so important a matter immediately after the statement has been made. An opportunity will occur to-morrow, when some considered comment upon it can properly be made, but I would like to associate myself with the noble Marquess at this point in expressing our very deep obligation to the Indian people for the response that they have so far made.