HC Deb 05 April 1910 vol 16 cc403-4W
Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALD

asked the Under - Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the protest of the educated Indian community in Madras against the appointment of the Maharajah of Bobbili to the Executive Council of the Governor of Madras, on the ground that he does not possess the confidence of any section of the community, as is shown in his repeated failure to be elected to a seat on the Viceroy's Council; and whether, in view of the necessity of securing for the Executive Council the confidence of all sections of the community, some assurance can be given that appointments to it will be made from those who can prove that they represent one or other of the important sections of the Indian people?

Mr. MONTAGU

The Secretary of State has no knowledge of any protest against the appointment of the Maharajah of Bobbili to the Executive Council of the Governor of Madras. He made careful inquiry before making the appointment, and he has received telegrams from representative bodies in Madras expressing their satisfaction.