§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether, in view of the numerous objections to the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Bill 12 of 1922, the Secretary of State for India will have it examined; and whether he will advise the Governor-General to withhold his asent pending such examination;
(2) whether the Madras Hindus Religious Endowments Bill 12 of 1922 was reserved for the consideration of the Governor-General as required by the Rules under the Government of India Act; and, if it was not so reserved, why not;
(3) whether he is aware that the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Bill 12 of 1922 contains provisions contemplating the creation of a select board to be appointed by the Governor acting with the Minister in charge with extensive powers over Hindu religious institutions; and whether the Secretary of State for India was consulted or informed before this departure was made from the principle of non-interference embodied in Section 22 of the Religious Endowment Act XX of 1863?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThis Measure will in due course, if it is assented to by the Governor-General, come before my Noble Friend under the provisions of Section 82 of the Government of India Act. Until it does so come and he is apprised of all the facts connected with it, he is not prepared to prejudge his own action or that taken by any other authority upon it. The Secretary of State was not consulted about its terms before introduction, and there is no provision of law or rule which required that he should be so consulted.