§ 2.12 p.m.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (LORD PETHICKLAWRENCE)moved, That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation issued under Section 93 of the Government of India Act, 1935, by the Governor of Bengal on the 31st of March, 1945, a copy of which was presented to this House on the 17th of April, 1945.
§ The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg to move the Resolution which stands on the Order Paper in my name. Before dealing specifically with the Resolution, I should like to take this opportunity of making an announcement with which I am sure your Lordships will feel in accord. My colleagues and I feel that with a new Government in office in this country and with the changed circumstances brought about by the surrender of Japan, it is desirable that we should, at the earliest moment, review with Lord Wavell the whole field of problems with which India is confronted. Your Lordships will readily appreciate the complexity of the political and economic issues involved and the need for searching examination of them from every aspect. If the counsel of Lord Wavell is to be utilized to the full extent, it is in my opinion essential to have direct personal discussion with him, and he has informed me that this is also his own view. Accordingly, with the full concurrence of His Majesty's Government, I have invited the Viceroy to come home for consultation, and he will be here in the immediate future.
§ Now as to the Resolution itself, only a very few words from me are necessary, as your Lordships have had many similar Resolutions before you on previous occasions. The facts of this particular case are that there was a breakdown in the Ministry of Bengal in the early spring of this year, and that the Governor issued his Proclamation in the ordinary form on the 31st of March. As your Lordships will realize, this Proclamation expires on the 30th September next, unless a Resolution has previously been carried in both Houses of Parliament that it should continue to have force. The Governor at the present moment is not satisfied that in the early future a stable representative Government can be formed. In view, there- 97 fore, of the prospective adjournment, it is necessary for your Lordships to pass this Resolution to prevent the possibility of an hiatus. I need not remind your Lordships that the passage of the Resolution does not bind the Governor to make use of his extended powers, and if, contrary to expectations, a stable Government were in sight at any time, he would be quite free to surrender them. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation issued under Section 93 of the Government of India Act, 1935, by the Governor of Bengal on the 3rst of March, 1945, a copy of which was presented to this House on the 17th of April, 1945 —(Lord Pethick-Lawrence.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.