§ Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to the resolutions passed at a conference of the Hindu backward classes; held at Bombay on 6th June; and whether the representation of the Mahrattas and allied castes on the Bombay Provincial Council has been increased so as to give the backward classes their due number of 1961W seats on the council in accordance with their proportion to the population?
§ Mr. FISHERI have seen the resolutions. My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware from the electoral rules which have received the approval of Parliament that provision has been made for the reservation of seven elected seats on the Bombay Legislative Council for Mahrattas, and of one nominated seat for a representative of "depressed classes." The former provision represents the award of an arbitrator, slightly modified on the recommendation of the Joint Select Committee. The latter provision was considered adequate by the Government of India and the Bombay Government, who estimate these classes to amount to 3 per cent. of the population.