§ Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Under-Secretary of State for India in what way the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards constitutional reform in Indian States has recently been modified; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government towards the present agitation in various Indian States?
§ Colonel LlewellinHis Majesty's Government adhere fully to the statement made by my Noble Friend the Member for Horsham (Earl Winterton) in his reply on 21st February last on this subject. The Paramount Power will not obstruct proposals for constitutional advance initiated by Rulers. But His Majesty's Government have no intention of bringing any form of pressure to bear upon them to initiate constitutional changes. It rests with the Rulers themselves to decide what form of government they should adopt in the diverse conditions of Indian States.
With regard to the second part of the question, the obligations of the Paramount Power to the States extend to protecting Rulers against violence and disorder and to advising and assisting Rulers in remedying such legitimate grievances of their subjects as may be found to exist.