READ IN COMMONS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 33, 9 February 1928, Page 9

READ IN COMMONS

LETTER TO THE VICEROY IDEA OF COMMISSION (A.P.A. and "Sun.") LONDON, 7th February. In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin) read tho letter from Sir John Simon to the Viceroy proposing a joint free conferenco consisting of seven British Commissioners and a corresponding bodyiof representatives' chosen by the Indian Legislature. The letter pointed out that the conference, besides giving recognition of equal status, provides an opportunity for the free exchange of views and mutual influence best calculated to promote the largest possiblo measure of agreement. The letter emphasised that the Commission in no sense was an instrument of either the British or the Indian Governments, but an independent, unfettered body approaching the Indian legislators as colleagues. The Commission was neither an executive nor a legislative body. It was only authorised to report and make recommendations. It was hoped to include in the report a faithful account of the opinions and aspirations of Indians. If preferred, the Indian Joint Committees' report could be annexed to the Commission's, and both be presented to His Majesty and published simultaneously.