Mr. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for India what steps are now being taken by the Government of India to encourage and turn to the practical advantage of Britain and India the growing feeling and increasingly influential movement in favour of co-operation in a National Government?
§ Mr. AmeryI have already made it clear that His Majesty's Government are keeping open the far-reaching and constructive proposals which they themselves put forward last August, and they and the Viceroy will continue to examine sympathetically any suggestions within the scope of these proposals which may help to surmount the difficulties that have stood in the way of political advance in India. The offer made in August presupposes a sufficient measure of political support and of mutual agreement in India which to our great regret has not so far been forthcoming. If developments should indicate that advance can profitably be made on the basis of that offer, with the support of the leading political elements in India, the House may rest assured that the Viceroy will not fail to take the practical steps required.