Mr. David Adamsasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether before the federal portion of the Government of India Act, 1935, is put into operation, the Governments of the Provinces of British India will be taken into consultation as well as the princes of India?
Lord StanleyThe purpose of Parliament in passing the Act of 1935, as will be clear from the Debates of the first two days of the Committee stage in this House and the Debate on an Amendment moved on Report on 23rd May, was that the Federation should come into being as soon as the required minimum of rulers of Indian States had acceded in accordance with provisions carefully prescribed in the Act itself. It does not appear, therefore, that any purpose would be served by the suggested consultation with the Governments of the Provinces unless the revision of the Act is contemplated.