PLEDGES TO INDIA
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—In a note headed " Pledges to India," in your issue of October 15th, occurs the following passage : " The Govern- ment's position is clear, and when the time comes for legislation in the Imperial Parliament it must be in the form of a single measure dealing with both provinces and centre, and it will of course, provide for responsibility at the centre. Great Britain has been pledged to that since 1919."
Such a pledge, if it was ever given, is presumably to be found in the Government of India Act of 1919, or at all events cannot be contradicted by the terms of the latter. I can find no pledge, explicit or implicit, in the Act ; while Section 84A even contemplates the possibility of a modification or re- striction of responsible self-government ten years after the passage of the Act. This seems scarcely consistent with the existence of a prior pledge such as you assume. I should be grateful if you would indicate' where, when and by whom such a pledge was given in a form binding on Great Britain.
So much mischievous, confusion has been imported into the discussion, of the Indian problem by vague, promiscuous and irresponsible references to ,pledges alleged to have been given that I venture to think that your readers are entitled to some further light on the subject.—I am, Sir, &c.,
PATRICK FAGAN.
[The note in question had reference to a letter by Lord Salisbury which seemed to. suggest that responsibility at the centre was still an open question, whereas the Preamble to the Government of Inaia Act (1919) definitely committed this country to " the progressive realization of responsible govern- ment in British India as an integral part of the Empire:'—' En: Spectator] •
Previous page
