Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 14 December 1939.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any communication has recently been received from Mr. Gandhi; and whether there have been any recent developments towards a satisfactory solution of the difficulties arising from the conflict between His Majesty's Government and the demands of the Indian National Congress?
Hon. Hugh O'Neill
, Antrim
The Governor-General has received no recent communication from Mr. Gandhi, and I regret that the answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, though I am glad to note that further discussions between Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mr. Jinnah, President of the All-India Muslim League, are likely to take place.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a letter sent by Mr. Gandhi to a London newspaper, the "News-Chronicle," and is he considering the contents of that letter?
Hon. Hugh O'Neill
, Antrim
Oh, yes, I have seen that letter, and certainly we have taken note of its contents.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his view of that letter is encouraging?
Hon. Hugh O'Neill
, Antrim
I think we must exercise our own judgment.
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.
