HC Deb 06 December 1926 vol 200 cc1678-9W
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that it has been customary for the Reports and recommendations of the Royal Commissions on Indian Affairs to be announced first by the Indian Government and afterwards by the Imperial Government, and that these arrangements were the result of recommendations by a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament appointed by the late Mr. Montagu when Secretary of State for India, he will state the reason for the departure from this recommendation in the case of the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance by His Majesty's Government before a statement had been made to the Indian Legislature?

Earl WINTERTON

I am not aware of any recommendation by the Joint Committee in the sense indicated. The Report of the Royal Commission on Indian Currency and Finance was published simultaneously in this country and India last August together with an announcement of Government policy. A further announcement of policy was made by my Noble Friend in another place on the evening of 18th November, and arrangements had been previously made for the publication of a communique to the same effect in India on the morning of the following day, that is, practically simultaneously. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the Indian Legislature will not be meeting till early in 1927.