§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I beg leave to ask His Majesty's Government a private notice question of which I have already informed them—namely, whether His Majesty's Government have any statement to make on Indian affairs.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (LORD PETHICK-LAWRENCE)My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the opportunity he gives me of making a statement on behalf of His Majesty's Government. The statement made by the Viceroy after his return to India contemplates the steps which His Majesty's Government propose should be taken to promote the early realization of full self-government in India. The full significance of these proposals does not seem to have been properly appreciated in India. Since it is the firm conviction of His Majesty's Government that it is by anti in consultation with the directly elected representatives of the Indian people that decisions as to the future governance of British India should be taken, it was a necessary preliminary that elections should be held to the Provincial Legislatures and the Central Assembly in India. It was announced that after the elections in India preparatory discussions would be held with the elected representatives of British India and with the Indian States in order to secure the widest measure of agreement as to the method of framing a Constitution. Unjustified suggestions have gained wide currency in India that these discussions would be a fruitful source of delay. I desire to make it plain that His Majesty's Government regard the setting up of, a Constitution-making body by which 258 Indians will decide their own future and also other proposals embodied in the announcement as a matter of greatest urgency.
This misunderstanding has led His Majesty's Government to consider whether opportunities of personal contact between this country and India which have been greatly interrupted during recent years cannot now be increased. They regard it as a matter of importance that members of our own Parliament should have an opportunity to meet leading political Indian personalities to learn their own views at first hand. They would also be able to convey in person the general wish and desire of the people of this country that India should speedily attain her full and rightful position as an independent partner State in the British Commonwealth and the desire of Parliament to do everything within our power to promote the speedy attainment of that objective. His Majesty's Government are therefore arranging for a Parliamentary Delegation to go to India under the auspices of the Empire Parliamentary Association. The intention is that this party should leave this country as soon as possible. In view of the difficulties of transport, it will be limited in size. The Delegation will be selected by the Association in consultation with Parliamentary representatives of the chief political Parties in this country.
During the transition towards complete self-government India will be passing through difficult times. No greater disservice could be done to a future Indian Government and to the cause of democracy than to permit the foundations of the State to be weakened and the loyalty of its servants to those who are in authority to be undermined before that new govern-merit comes into being. Therefore the Government of India cannot divest itself of the responsibility which rests upon is and upon all Provincial Governments of preserving law and order and of resisting any attempt to resolve the constitutional issue by force. The realization of full self-government can only come by the orderly and peaceful transfer of control of the machinery of State to purely Indian authority.
His Majesty's Government could riot permit any attempt to he made to break down the loyalty of the administrative services or of the Indian Armed Forces, 259 and they will give full support to the Government of India in securing that their servants are protected in the performance of their duty and that the future Constitution of India shall not be called into being by force or threat of force.
In addition, the great need of India, whatever Government are in power, is to raise the standard of life, of education, and of health of the masses of the people. Boldly conceived plans to meet this are already in being and His Majesty's Government are giving every encouragement to proceed with them so that improving social conditions may go forward simultaneously with the institution of self-government.
§ 2.43 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I desire, if I may, to thank the noble Lord for the statement he has just made on the problem of India. Perhaps I might be permitted to make a few very short observations. We should like to examine his statement with the care and consideration due to it in order that we may, if necessary, put down a Motion to suit his convenience to discuss it properly. I am glad to know that His Majesty's Government do not propose to yield to tyranny and force, but perhaps I might ask the noble Lord whether this delegation under the auspices of the Empire Parliamentary Association who are proceeding to India, will be accompanied by the noble Lord's, Under-Secretary or any other Minister, and whether it is quite clear that no one on this. Delegation can commit His Majesty's Government, or the Government of India, in anything they may say or do during the period of their visit.
§ LORD PETHICK-LAWRENCEMy Lords, as to the question whether the Under-Secretary or State for India will go to India, that will be a matter for consideration by the Empire Parliamentary Association in deciding the names of the delegates. On the second question, this visit follows the lines of similar visits that have been made to India and to other parts of His Majesty's Dominions and Empire, and it has not been the practice hitherto, and is not the intention of His Majesty's Government in the present case, that the Delegation should be given any powers to commit His Majesty's Government to any special policy, though, of course the policy to which His Majesty's 260 Government have already given expression will no doubt form the background and atmosphere in which the Delegation will proceed.