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THIS DOCUMENT IS T H E PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC M A J E S T V S GOVERNMENT

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September

Jg

1945.

SECRET. Copy No.

C P . (45) 155. 9th September,

1945.

CABINET.

R E P O R T BY T H E P R I M E M I N I S T E R , C H A I R M A N OF T H E I N D I A A N D BURMA COMMITTEE, A T their meeting on the 2.0th August ( C M . (45) 24th Conclusions, Minute 1) the Cabinet agreed t h a t the Viceroy should be invited to return here immediately for discussion of general policy in India. Lord Wavell arrived in this country on the 26th August. Since then he has attended meetings of the India and Burma Committee and the whole field of policy has been fully explored. 2. I need not trouble my colleagues with the detail of the discussions. They have centred round the desirability of making it clear without further delay that it is our intention to convene a constitution-making body as envisaged in the Cripps offer of 1942 as soon as possible once the results of the forthcoming I n d i a n elections are known. 3. The Viceroy at first was doubtful of the wisdom of any public under­ taking in this sense. H e pointed out t h a t there were many points of detail to be examined and resolved before a constitution-making body could come into being. There was the risk of inflaming communal feeling, particularly during the election period, and in Lord Wavell's view the major political parties, for different and mutually destructive reasons, might well decline to take p a r t in any constituent assembly. The Congress might decline to particijDate if the principle of the partition of India appeared to be conceded, and the Muslim League unless it was conceded. 4. The Committee have made it clear, on the other hand, to the Viceroy that in our view it is quite essential to face whatever risks there may be in this matter, and to give I n d i a and the world a clear indication without further delay of our intentions. If, when the time comes, it is impossible to persuade

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the I n d i a n parties to take p a r t in whatever constitution-making body may be set u p , a new situation will arise which we shall have to consider in the light of the circumstances. But at least we shall have done our p a r t in giving effect to the C r i p p s offer, to the principles of which this Government and its predecessors have repeatedly asserted their adherence, and if there is a failure it will not be possible to place the responsibility for it on the shoulders of H i s Majesty's Government. :

5. In the result, and after further discussion with Lord Wavell, we recommend t h a t he should be authorised on his return to I n d i a to broadcast an announcement in the terms of the Annex to this Report, which has been drafted in consultation with us. The Viceroy would accompany this announcement with a personal message of his own, emphasising its significance, and appealing for co-operation. The feeling of the Committee, which the Viceroy shared, was that there would be advantage if I were t o make a very brief broadcast in the name of H i s Majesty's Government on the occasion of the Viceroy's announcement which would affirm in general terms the policy of this Government towards India, and this, if my colleagues so desire, I shall be very willing to do. 6. Opportunity will be taken before Lord Wavell leaves this country in the middle of next week to discuss w i t h him in a general and exploratory way certain of the difficult issues of detail t h a t will have to be considered in connection with the establishment of any constitution-making body. 7. On behalf of the Committee I invite the Cabinet to approve the making by the Viceroy of an announcement in the terms appended hereto,^' and to agree that this should be accompanied by a short broadcast by myself as P r i m e Minister. C. R. A . 1 0 Doivning Street,

9th September, 1945.

* Annex.

ANNEX.

As stated in the gracious Speech from the Throne at the Opening of Parliament, H i s Majesty's Government are determined to do their utmost to promote, in conjunction with the leaders of Indian opinion, the early realisation of full self-government in India. D u r i n g my visit to London they have discussed with me the steps to be taken. A n announcement has already been made that elections to the Central and Provincial legislatures, so long postponed owing to the war, are to be held during the coming cold weather. Thereafter H i s Majesty's Government earnestly hope that ministerial responsibility will be accepted by political leaders in all Provinces. I t is the intention of H i s Majesty's Government to convene as soon as possible a constitution-making body and as a preliminary step they have authorised me to undertake, immediately after the elections, discussions with representatives of the Legislative Assemblies in the Provinces, to ascertain whether the proposals contained in the 1942 declaration are acceptable or whether some alternative or modified scheme is preferable. Discussions will also be undertaken with the representatives of the Indian States wdth a view to ascer­ taining in what way they can best take their part in the constitution-making body. H i s Majesty's Government are proceeding to the consideration of the content of the treaty which will require to be concluded between Great Britain and India. D u r i n g these preparatory stages, the government of I n d i a must be carried on, a n d urgent economic and social problems must be dealt with. Furthermore, India has to play her full p a r t in working out the new World Order. His Majesty's Government have therefore further authorised me, as soon as the results of the Provincial elections are published, to take steps to bring into being an Executive Council which will have the support of the main I n d i a n parties.

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TOP SECRET.

CABINET.

M E M O R A N D U M BY- T H E L O R D P R E S I D E N T ; OF T H E COUNCIL, C H A I R M A N OF T H E P A L E S T I N E C O M M I T T E E . I attach the recommendations of the Palestine Committee on the short-term policy to be adopted in t h a t country. 2. I would like to put on record the importance of maintaining the utmost secrecy, both as regards these recommendations and indeed as regards the fact t h a t a Palestine Committee of the Cabinet has been constituted. As my colleagues will appreciate, we may be placed in a very embarrassing position if it becomes known that there is such a body, and for obvious reasons it is most undesirable t h a t any inkling should get out of the line on which our minds are moving as regards Palestine policy generally. H. M. Privy Council Of/ice, S.W. 1,

8th September, 1945.