COMMUNAL AWARD

Northern Advocate, 10 July 1935, Page 7

COMMUNAL AWARD

INDIA BILL PROVISION. 'MISCHIEVOUS AMENDMENT. BRITAIN KEEPS HER PLEDGE. LBritish Official Wireless .] (Received 9 a.m.) RUGBY, July 8. A statement issued by the Indian Government to correct an impression that the constitutional provisions based on what is commonly known as the communal award were subject to alteration by the British Government, was recalled by an amendment moved in the House of Lords, where the India. Bill is nearing the end of the committee stage. The Marquess of Zetland, Secretary of State for India, described the speech of the mover as monstrous and mischievous, and liable to create the feeling that the British Government was prepared to break its solemn pledge regarding Clause 303. He said: “I must repudiate the suggestion that the Government is making provision for breaking in any way the pledge which has been given. The clause has been drafted actually at the suggestion of the Indian delegates who attended the, joint select committee.” Not only was in the intention of His Majesty’s Government to make no alteration in the communal award unless it were desired by the community themselves, but; no such alteration could be made under the clause without the specific assent of Parliament. _ ";