Oral Answers to Questions — Military Service. – in the House of Commons at on 16 January 1940.
Mr. Graham White:
asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is able to make a statement with regard to affairs in India?
Hon. Hugh O'Neill
, Antrim
There have been no outstanding developments in India since the House adjourned before Christmas. The country as a whole remains quiet. As the hon. Member knows, the Congress ministries in eight provinces have resigned, and the Governors of seven of them are carrying on without the aid of Ministers or Legislatures under the provisions inserted in the Government of India Act to meet such a situation. Responsible government remains in full operation in Bengal, the Punjab, and Sind, and in Assam a successor to the Congress Ministry has been formed, but has not yet met the Provincial Assembly. The Viceroy is in close touch with the situation and, as he stated a few days ago in a speech at Bombay, he is anxious to do anything he can to facilitate agreement among the various parties as a step towards a solution of the present constitutional difficulties.
Mr. White:
In view of the fact that all sections in India have a common agreement in regard to Opposition to the attack on freedom will the Viceroy and the Government lose no opportunity which presents itself to end the present deadlock?
Hon. Hugh O'Neill
, Antrim
I am sure that will be so.
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.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
