§ LORD RANKEILLOURasked His Majesty's Government whether the proposals of Command Paper 6821 for a Constituent Assembly in India will require, or be submitted for, the approval of the Imperial Parliament; and whether the adoption by the Assembly of all or any of the recommendations set forth in paragraph 15 of the Paper is regarded by His Majesty's government as essential.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELWhen a new constitution for India has been framed by the Constituent Assembly some action by Parliament will no doubt be required, but its precise nature cannot be determined until the conclusions of the Assembly are known. The proposals for setting up the Assembly have been put forward in pursuance of the policy of His Majesty's Government, which was endorsed by both Houses of Parliament, to assist Indians to set up machinery for the formulation of a new constitution. The measures indicated are within the competence of the relevant authorities in India and do not require specific approval by Parliament.
With regard to the latter part of the question, the recommendations in paragraph 15 of the Statement by the Cabinet Mission and the Viceroy have been put forward in the hope that they may form a basis for agreement and joint action by the Indian parties. They are recommendations for acceptance, which are subject to variation as provided in paragraph 19 (vii) of the Statement.
House adjourned at seven minutes before six o'clock.