Oral Answers to Questions — India – in the House of Commons at on 9 December 1929.
Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare
, Norwich
asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will withdraw the ban imposed on Mr. Saklatvala attending the Indian National Congress?
Captain William Benn
, Aberdeen North
I fear I cannot alter my decision.
Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare
, Norwich
Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it extremely harsh to prevent an ex-Member of Parliament going back to his native land, and is he not rebuked by the echoes of his own speeches on the subject?
Captain William Benn
, Aberdeen North
I do not like doing it at all, but I have to consider a very delicate situation ill India.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
A Member of Parliament (MP) is elected by a particular area or constituency in Britain to represent them in the House of Commons. MPs divide their time between their constituency and the Houses of Parliament in London. Once elected it is an MP's job to represent all the people in his or her constituency. An MP can ask Government Ministers questions, speak about issues in the House of Commons and consider and propose new laws.
