GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21404, 21 February 1935, Page 13

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

BILL IN COMMITTEE STAGE APPOINTMENT OF VICEROY LONDON, February 19. The House of Commons to-day began the long and important task of dealing with the Government of India Bill in the committee stage. TwenJ.y-six days are to be devoted to various parts of the bill, in order of their importance, four days being held jn reserve to provide more time for the discussion of provisions which prove specially intricate, or which produce constructive criticisms.

Sir Robert Home (Conservative) this afternoon moved an amendment the effect of which was that the Viceroy should be appointed only after there had been consultation with living former Viceroys who were also members of the Privy Council.

He emphasised the vital importance of the post and of having the right man to fill it. The Viceroy, he said, would be the linchpin and keystone of all this mighty fabric, and there was no office in the world to which the choice of the right man was more important. Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary for India), who agreed the post was one of vital importance, said while he was anxious to keep the appointment as far as possible out of the ordinary rut of party politics, there were grave objections to introducing a quite new procedure into the constitution and to taking the appointment altogether out of the control of Parliament. The Government would not accept the amendment in that form, but he would welcome the opportunity of considering the views of members from all parties in the House on the subject. After further discussion. Sir Robert Home withdrew his amendment.