(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/129/19
Image Reference:0008
The circulation of this paper has beenystrictl
e n ^ s t r i c t ly
y limited.
nmitea.
It is issued for the personal use o£...-&k£.
TOP SECRET
Copy
C P . (47)
22ND M Y .
158
1947
-
^ ^
No
^
'
CABINET
INDIAN POLICY
Memorandum "by t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r -
T h e I n d i a a n d Burma C o m m i t t e e h a s h a d a s e r i e s o f
d i s c u s s i o n s , f i r s t w i t h Lord Ismay ( C h i e f A d v i s e r t o t h e
V i c e r o y ) and l a t e r w i t h t h e V i c e r o y h i m s e l f .
2,
L o r d M o u n t b a t t e n ' s i n s t r u c t i o n s w e r e t o do h i s y '
utmost to s e c u r e g e n e r a l a c c e p t a n c e of t h e C a b i n e t M i s s i o n ' s
plan.I f t h i s p r o v e d i m p o s s i b l e h e was t o r e p o r t b y t h e
1 s t O c t o b e r on t h e - s t e p s which he c o n s i d e r e d s h o u l d h e t a k e n
f o r t h e h a n d i n g o v e r of power i n d u n e , 1948..
h
3.
S i n c e h i s a r r i v a l I n I n d i a "Lord M o u n t b a t t e n h a s
-­
had a p r o l o n g e d s e r i e s of c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h t h e l e a d e r s of
C o n g r e s s and o f t h e M u s l i m L e a g u e a n d h a s a l s o c o n f e r r e d
w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e S i k h s . - His c o n v e r s a t i o n s
h a v e c o n v i n c e d him t h a t t h e r e i s no p r o s p e c t of a c c e p t a n c e
of t h e C a b i n e t M i s s i o n ' s p l a n o r o f a U n i o n o f I n d i a o n a n y
other basis.
He i s a l s o c o n v i n c e d t h a t a v e r y e a r l y ,
announcement of H i s M a j e s t y ' s GovernmentVs i n t e n t i o n s as t o
t h e m a n n e r i n w h i c h p o w e r w i l l b e t r a n s f e r r e d i n 1948 i s
e s s e n t i a l i f w i d e s p r e a d a n d u n c o n t r o l l a b l e communal
d i s t u r b a n c e s , e s p e c i a l l y in the North-West F r o n t i e r Province
and t h e P u n j a b ) , a r e t o b e a v o i d e d .
- T h e I n d i a a n d Burma
Committee a r e f u l l y s a t i s f i e d t h a t t h i s diagnosis.. i s c o r r e c t
a n d - t h a t f u r t h e r i n i t i a t i v e on our p a r t i s e s s e n t i a l .
4.
The V i c e r o y h a s c o n v e n e d f o r 2 n d J u n e a s m a l l
C o n f e r e n c e c o n s i s t i n g of l e a d e r s of t h e C o n g r e s s , t h e Muslim
L e a g u e a n d t h e S i k h s a t w h i c h h e w i l l make a f i n a l e f f o r t t o
g e t a c o m p r o m i s e on. t h e b a s i s o f t h e C a b i n e t M i s s i o n ' s p l a n .
I f , a s h e e x p e c t s , he f a i l s t o do s o , he p r o p o s e s t o l a y
b e f o r e t h e C o n f e r e n c e t h e t e x t of a S t a t e m e n t b y H i s M a j e s t y ' s
Government.
He w i l l i n f o r m t h e C o n f e r e n c e t h a t h e i s
p r e p a r e d t o c o n s i d e r any m o d i f i c a t i o n s of i t which t h e
C o n f e r e n c e m a y , a g r e e t o p r o p o s e t o him w i t h i n a s h o r t b u t
stated period.
The p r o p o s e d t e x t of t h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t , a s
a p p r o v e d b y t h e I n d i a a n d Burma C o m m i t t e e ' i n c o n s u l t a t i o n
w i t h t h e V i c e r o y , i s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e a n n e x t o t h i s memorandum.
5.
The S t a t e m e n t a n n o u n c e s : - .
\
( i )
t h a t t h e a t t e m p t t o s e c u r e a U n i o n of t h e w h o l e
of I n d i a on t h e b a s i s of t h e C a b i n e t M i s s i o n ' s
p r o p o s a l s m u s t now b e a b a n d o n e d ;
( i i )
t h a t a r r a n g e m e n t s m u s t t h e r e f o r e b e made w h e r e b y
p o w e r c a n b e t r a n s f e r r e d "to m o r e t h a n o n e
authority;
. ,
( i i i )
( i v )
a p r o c e d u r e whereby t h e d i f f e r e n t p a r t s of I n d i a
can choose through e l e c t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
whether t h e i r f u t u r e c o n s t i t u t i o n s s h a l l be
framed by the e x i s t i n g C o n s t i t u e n t Assembly
o r i n a new C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y c o m p o s e d o f
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h o s e a r e a s t h a t h o l d
a l o o f from t h e main body;
provisions for
Assembly f o r
action.
s e t t i n g up s u c h new C o n s t i t u e n t
t h e a r e a s t h a t opt for s e p a r a t i o n
6.
The main p u r p o s e of t h e p r o c e d u r e p r o p o s e d i s t o
t h r u s t upon I n d i a n s t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of d e c i d i n g w h e t h e r
o r n o t I n d i a s h a l l b e d i v i d e d a n d i n w h a t way.
The e l a b o r a t e
n a t u r e o f t h e p r o c e d u r e i s u n f o r t u n a t e l y made u n a v o i d a b l e . b y
t h e complex c o n d i t i o n s e x i s t i n g in I n d i a , i f a r e a s o n a b l y
e q u i t a b l e e x p r e s s i o n of I n d i a n o p i n i o n i n t h e a r e a s i n
q u e s t i o n is to be obtained.
T h e p r o b a b l e r e s u l t w i l l be--­
t h a t i n t h e N o r t h - W e s t S i n d , W e s t e r n P u n j a b , and p o s s i b l y
a l s o t h e North.-West F r o n t i e r P r o v i n c e w i l l s t a n d o u t from
t h e e x i s t i n g C o n s t i t u e n t Assembly.'
In the North-East t h e r e
i s some p o s s i b i l i t y o f B e n g a l r e m a i n i n g u n i t e d , b u t i f t h i s
d o e s n o t h a p p e n E a s t e r n - B e n g a l , and t h e o n e p r e d o m i n a n t l y
M u s l i m d i s t r i c t o f Assam a r e l i k e l y a l s o t o s t a n d o u t .
7.
The V i c e r o y i n h i s c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h t h e p a r t y
l e a d e r s h a s r e v e a l e d t o t h e m t h e m a i n o u t l i n e s of h i s
p r o p o s a l s and i s s a t i s f i e d t h a t t h e y w i l l b e a c c e p t e d b y
Congress.
Mr. J i n n a h a c q u i e s c e d i n t h e m i n p r i v a t e
c o n v e r s a t i o n a l t h o u g h i n a s u b s e q u e n t p u b l i c s t a t e m e n t he
h a s p r o t e s t e d a g a i n s t any p r o p o s a l t o p a r t i t i o n B e n g a l and
the Punjab.
The V i c e r o y t h i n k s , h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e M u s l i m
League i s l i k e l y t o c o - o p e r a t e i n working t h e p r o c e d u r e
proposed. . ­
8.
T h e I n d i a a n d Burma C o m m i t t e e a r e s a t i s f i e d t h a t "
these proposals' are the best a v a i l a b l e in the circumstances
and recommend t h a t t h e V i c e r o y b e a u t h o r i s e d t o p r o c e e d
accordingly.
C.R.A.
10, Downing
2 2 n d May,
Street,
S.W.1.
1947.
ANNEX I
DRAFT ANNOUNCEMENT I.
1.
On F e b r u a r y
their intention
20th.,
INTRODUCTION
1947? H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t
of t r a n s f e r r i n g
I n d i a n h a n d s "by J u n e ,
19^-8.
it
co-operate
i n 'the w o r k i n g - o u t
acceptable
2.
power i n B r i t i s h I n d i a
would he p o s s i b l e
for
of
the major
The m a j o r i t y
concerned.
of t h e
a
and t h e
to
Plan
constitution
T h i s hope has not b e e n
representatives
fulfilled.
of the P r o v i n c e s
M a d r a s , Bombay, t h e U n i t e d P r o v i n c e s , B i h a r ,
and B e r a r , A s s a m ,
parties
had
the Cabinet Mission's
19U6, and e v o l v e f o r I n d i a
to a l l
to
H i s M a j e s t y ' s Government
hoped t h a t
of May i 6 t h ,
announced
of
Central
Provinces
O r i s s a and t h e N o r t h - W e s t F r o n t i e r
Province,
representatives
of D e l h i , A g m e r - M e r w a r a a n d C o o r g
h a v e a l r e a d y made p r o g r e s s
in the
t a s k of e v o l v i n g
a new
Constitution.
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , , t h e M u s l i m L e a g u e
Party,
including
a majority
Bengal,
in i t
the Punjab
and S i n d ,
Baluchistan,
of
the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
as a l s o the
representative
has decided not t o p a r t i c i p a t e
of
of
i n the
British
Constituent
Assembly.
3...
It
has
always been the d e s i r e
t h a t power s h o u l d be t r a n s f e r r e d
of H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t .
i n accordance w i t h .the
of t h e I n d i a n p e o p l e t h e m s e l v e s .
greatly facilitated
Indian p o l i t i c a l
agreement,
if
This
t a s k would have
t h e r e had been agreement
parties.
In the absence
t h e t a s k of d e v i s i n g
of
among
such
political
Government.
a method by which t h e
leaders
decided t o adopt
in India,
for
After f u l l
consultation
the plan set
H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t w i s h t o make i t
no i n t e n t i o n
of a t t e m p t i n g
to frame
clear
the
wishes
on
with
His M a j e s t y ' s Government
thi.s purpose
been
an
of t h e I n d i a n p e o p l e c a n b e a s c e r t a i n e d h a s d e v o l v e d
His Majesty's
wishes
have
out
below.'
that
they
any u l t i m a t e
have
Constitution
for I n d i a ;
Nor i s
this
there
is
a matter for
anything in t h i s
the Indians
plan to preclude
between communities f o r . an u n i t e d
' I I .
h.
It
the
work of t h e
How t h a t p r o v i s i o n
those Provinces
participating In it
trust
w i l l now t a k e
it
is
their
of t h e p e o p l e
Constitution
(a)
of
such a r e a s
i s ' t o be
in.the
that
practical
as a
consequence
representatives
apply
that
any
His
the procedure
i s s u e whether
the
.
not
the
wishes
their
framed:­
or
( b ) i n a new a n d s e p a r a t e C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y
.
of
o u t l i n e d below
e x i s t i n g C o n s t i t u e n t Assembly;
of t h e
its
Majesty's
m e t h o d of, a s c e r t a i n i n g
on t h e
already
Constitution
to those parts
it.
of
are
due s h a r e i n
clear
country which are u n w i l l i n g ' t o accept
are s a t i s f i e d
specified
of w h o s e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
same t i m e ,
embodies the b e s t
that,
to
Assembly.
Provinces
t h e Muslim League
framed by t h i s Assembly cannot
Government
Government
existing Constituent
a majority
At t h e
of H i s M a j e s t y ' s
Government
announcement,
labours.
India.
i s made f o r c e r t a i n
below, His M a j e s t y ' s
of t h i s
negotiations
THE ISSUES TO BE DECIDED
i s not the i n t e n t i o n
interrupt
themselves.
representatives
to p a r t i c i p a t e
of
consisting
t h o s e a r e a s which
in the existing
decide
Constituent
Assembly,
When t h i s h a s b e e n d o n e , i t
authority
or a u t h o r i t i e s
I I I .
5.
w i l l be p o s s i b l e
to determine
t o whom p o w e r s h o u l d b e
transferred.
BENGAL ^ND THE PUNJAB
The P r o v i n c i a l L e g i s l a t i v e A s s e m b l i e s
of B e n g a l a n d
Punjab ( e x c l u d i n g t h e European m e m b e r s ) w i l l
therefore
a s k e d t o m e e t i n two p a r t s ,
the
majority
the
districts
and t h e
one r e p r e s e n t i n g
other the
rest
of t h e
the
each be
Muslim
Province.
for
India;
Nor i s
this
there
is
a matter
anything
in this
"between c o m m u n i t i e s f o r
II.
It
k-
i s not
interrupt
Now t h a t
below,
of
the
the
provision
is
announcement,
those Provinces
labours.
the
in it
Government
trust
Constitution
(a)
is
in the
( b ) i n , a
of
not
Government
that,
specified
as a
consequence
representatives
of whose r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
w i l l now t a k e
it
cannot
their
Is
clear
apply
the
share
that
to
to accept
that
due
in
any
His
procedure
its
of
the
Majesty's
outlined
method
of, a s c e r t a i n i n g
such areas
on t h e
i s s u e Whether
below
the
wishes
their
framedt­
existing
Constituent
new a n d s e p a r a t e
the
already
Constitution
practical
to be
of
are
those parts
it.
to
Assembly.
Provinces
t h e Muslim League
satisfied
of
of H i s M a j e s t y ' s
same t i m e ,
embodies the b e s t
people
negotiations
India.
certain
country which are u n w i l l i n g
of t h e
to preclude
made f o r
framed by t h i s Assembly
are
themselves.
existing Constituent
a majority
At t h e
Government
plan
an u n i t e d
intention
w o r k of
participating
the Indians
THE ISSUES TO BE DECIDED
His Majesty's
this
for
Constituent
representatives
to p a r t i c i p a t e
Assembly;
of
in the
those
or
Assembly
areas
existing
consisting
which
decide
Constituent
Assembly.
When t h i s h a s b e e n
authority
or a u t h o r i t i e s
I I I .
5.
done,
(excluding
t o whom p o w e r
Legislative
the European
a s k e d t o meet i n two p a r t s ,
majority
w i l l be p o s s i b l e
to
should be
determine
the
transferred.
BENGAL .aND THE PUNJAB
The P r o v i n c i a l
Punjab
it
districts
and t h e
Assemblies
members)
of B e n g a l
will
one r e p r e s e n t i n g
other
the
rest
of
and
therefore
the
each
the
Muslim
the
Province.
be
For
the
19h1
purpose
of
census f i g u r e s
majority
districts
Appendix
to
6.
determining
this
w i l l he
in
separately
Province
either
these
the
w i l l he
decides
7.
Before
that
the. r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
and a r r a n g e m e n t s
such a vote
it
preliminary
to
joint
( other
decision
on t h i s
8.
,of
In the
above t o
9.
of
meeting
issue
of
division
will
of
w i l l be
as
members
is
desirable
should c l e a r l y
knp-w
a whole would
Therefore,
if
there
Assembly,
join,
is
a
a
of e a c h L e g i s l a t i v e
w i l l be held
at
which
-
a
taken.
partition being
Assembly
it
the L e g i s l a t i v e
all
the
accordingly.
however,
the Province
of
or not
will,
decided upon,
on b e h a l f
of
alternatives
each
the
areas
in paragraph
part
they
k
adopt.
immediate
the
and t h e Punjab
purpose
members
will
districts
Muslim m a j o r i t y
of
sit
(as
temporary
purposes
of
detailed
investigation
laid
nature
the Governor-General,
down i n
This
as i t
is
partition
of b o u n d a r y
a decision
either Province,
deciding
i n two p a r t s
a definitive
as soon as
of
the Legislative
districts..
a purely
for
Assembly
partitition,
each Province
d e c i d e w h i c h of. t h e
partition,
and,
the
of
place,
than Europeans)
event
For.the
majority
out i n
majority
remain u n i t e d .
the Legislative
-represent,
set
the
Muslim
a simple
w i l l h e made
b y a n y member
Assembly
are
The
of e a c h L e g i s l a t i v e
If
of
takes
which C o n s t i t u e n t Assembly
demand f o r
districts,
empowered t o v o t e w h e t h e r
in favour
place
decided
of
authoritative.
two P r o v i n c e s
should he p a r t i t i o n e d .
part
they
as
two p a r t s
take
if
taken
population
Announcement.
T h e m e m b e r s of
sitting
the
on t h e
assemblies
according
to
the Appendix)
is
only
evident
of
of
that
and
for
these Provinces
w i l l be
partition
of
Bengal
Muslim
non-
a preliminary
questions
involving
issue
step
of
the
a
neededj
has been
taken
a Boundary Commission w i l l be s e t up by
the
membership
and terms
of
reference
of
which w i l l he
It
w i l l he
parts
of
instructed
the Punjab
contiguous
will
to demarcate
on t h e b a s i s
majority
a l s o be
Similar
settled, in consultation
areas
instructed
instructions
will be
Commission.
Until
been put
effect,
into
take
the
the Appendix w i l l be
on t h e
will
at
11.
exceptional..
are
Assembly.
part
of
Province
of
the
three
it
is
clear,
factors.
Boundary
a Boundary Commission
has
indicated
Sind (excluding
also
in
take
its
the
European
own
decision;
above.
representatives
in
considerations,
decides
not
will be necessary
the
of
the present
Province
to
to
the
its
that
to give
w i l l be h e l d under
Constituent
the whole
existing
or
Constituent
Frontier
a r e f e r e n d u m w i l l b e made
they wish
the
aegis
any
position.
L e g i s l a t i v e Assembly
m e n t i o n e d i n p a r a g r a p h 1+ a b o v e
this
the North-West
its
is
geographical
if
c h o o s e w h i c h of
and i n c o n s u l t a t i o n
of
existing
join the
to reconsider
i n s u c h an event^,
General
the Bengal
i n v i e w of
Accordingly,
West F r o n t i e r
other
the Norths/Vest F r o n t i e r Province
an o p p o r t u n i t y
electors
to
in paragraph k
and o t h e r
it
referendum
of
already participating
the Punjab
Assembly,
Assembly
Two o f
But
situation,
account
It
NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE
The p o s i t i o n
Province
and n o n - M u s l i m s .
SINE
a special' meeting
alternatives
V.
of
two
used.
The L e g i s l a t i v e
members)
into
the
the
the provisional boundaries
IV.
10.
of
of a s c e r t a i n i n g
given
report
those'concerned.
the boundaries
of M u s l i m s
to
with
the
in the
the
with the Provincial
North-
alternatives
to adopt.
of
to
The
GovernorGovernment.
VI.
12.
British Baluchistan
taken his
of
B R I T I S H BALUCHISTAN its
given
seat
geographical
the
to
reconsider
Though Assam I s
of S y l h e t
of
the
that Bengal
in Sylhet
and i n
to
predominantly
partition
decide whether
of
If
the
Eastern Bengal,
demarcate
the
district
results
Ik.
If
it
partitioned,
is
it
the
of S y l h e t
or
the Punjab
of t h e A s s a m P r o v i n c e
VIII.
of
areas
will
of t h e
in
that,
if
in
of
is
decided
held
Government,
should continue
to
amalgamated
if
that
of
amalgamation
Province
terms
of S y l h e t
of
with
reference
set
existing Constituent
up
to
and
districts,
to Eastern Bengal.
continue
with
agrees.
district
adjoining
any c a s e
the
amalgamated
it
and B e n g a l w i l l b e
areas
the
Governor-General
should be
in favour
then be t r a n s f e r r e d
the proceedings
can
is
a referendum will be
of E a s t e r n B e n g a l ,
c o n t i g u o u s Muslim m a j o r i t y
in
choose
adopt.
should be
Accordingly,
aegis
t h e Muslim m a j o r i t y
which w i l l
to
a.demand
w i t h t h e Assam P r o v i n c i a l
for
and t o
to Bengal
a Boundary Commission w i t h
to those
be
a non-Muslim P r o v i n c e ,
Sylhet
partitioned,
the
referendum
similar
of B e n g a l ,
t h e Assam P r o v i n c e
t h e new P r o v i n c e
also
view,
e x a m i n i n g how t h i s
has been
of B e n g a l .
should be
consultation
is
contiguous
There
d i s t r i c t , under
form p a r t
i n p a r a g r a p h k above
which i s
w i t h the Muslim p a r t
position
In
ASSAM
predominantly Muslim.
event
its
will
not
done.
VII.
district
Assembly.
this Province
the Governor-General
appropriately be
13*
a member b u t h e h a d
existing Constituent
alternatives
His Excellency
elected
situation,
an o p p o r t u n i t y
w h i c h of
most
in the
has
to
The
rest
participate
Assembly.
REPRESENTATION I N CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLIES
decided
that
Bengal
w i l l be necessary
. -V­
and t h e
Punjab
to hold fresh
should
elections
be
to
choose
their
million
representatives
of p o p u l a t i o n
according
1
the Cabinet Mission s
elections
will
its
decided
being
Bengal.
that
would be e n t i t l e d
Province
is
concerned,
either
join
Constituent
the
to
this
as
follows"Sikhs
k
the mandate given to
East
area
17
12
them by the
the various
Constituent
of
of
3
19
Nil
Nil
2
2
12
of
event
Total
mi
k
29
the existing
in the
t o which each
2
in
Similar
Sylhet
Muslims
'
every
s h o u l d form' p a r t
representatives
representatives
areas
areas
Assemhly
will
or form the
new
Assembly.
Negotiations
possible
19^-6.
for
district
of one f o r
principle, contained
of
IX.
16.
the
to be held
1
15
12
3
6
According
to
scale
o f May 1 6 t h ,
General
Sylhet D i s t r i c t
W e s t B e n g a l
East Bengal
West P u n j a b
East Punjab
15.
Plan
a l s o have
The n u m b e r
on t h e
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
will
have t o be I n i t i a t e d
on a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
may h a v e b e e n d e c i d e d
( a ) B e t w e e n
the
successor
w i t h by
consequences
as soon
as
of
any p a r t i t i o n
the
prospective
that
upons­
representatives
authorities
the C e n t r a l
of
about
all
Government,
subjects
now
including
dealt
Defence,
P i n a n e e a n d C ommunic a t i o n s .
( b ) B e t w e e n d i f f e r e n t
Majesty's
matters
( c ) I n
the
to
Government
arising
case
successor
out
as t h e
division
police
and o t h e r
of
of
treaties
of t h e
of P r o v i n c e s
administration
provincial
for
authorities
all
services,
institutions,
may b e
provincial
assets
His
in regard
transfer
that
and
of
power.
partitioned
subjects
and l i a b i l i t i e s ,
the High
etc.
to
Courts,
as
such
the
X.'
THE TRIBES OF THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER 17*
Agreements with
India
will
tribes
of
the North-West F r o n t i e r
h a v e t o "be n e g o t i a t e d b y
the
appropriate
of
successor
authority.
XI.
18.
His Majesty's
decisions
their
Government
towards I n d i a n
XII.
In order
to prepare
all
the
that
States
take
and t h e
p r o c e e d t o frame
territories!
remains
that
India
the
and
that
unchanged.
authorities
over power,
should be
To a v o i d d e l a y , - t h e
will
only to B r i t i s h
successor
to
of
different
this Plan,
new C o n s t i t u e n t
Constitutions
they
will
of
the
may h a v e
is
as q u i c k l y
a s f?,r
as
existing
(if
time
important
Provinces
Assembly
for
course
it
completed
proceed independently
the conditions
Assembly
own
the
above p r o c e s s e s
of P r o v i n c e s
clear
NECESSITY FOR SPEED
themselves
possible.
within
w i s h t o make i t
announced above r e l a t e
policy
i9.
THE STATES
that
as
or
parts
practicable
Constituent
formed)
their
respective
be f r e e
t o frame
will
their
rules.
XIII.
20.
time
His Excellency
the Governor-General
make s u c h f u r t h e r
regard
above
FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL
to procedure
arrangements.
announcements
or any
other
time
to
a s may b e n e c e s s a r y
in
matters
will
for
from
carrying
out
the
ANNEX
II
C e r t a i n minor m o d i f i c a t i o n s of t h e d r a f t
Announcement c o n t a i n e d i n Annex I h a v e b e e n a g r e e d by t h e
I n d i a and Burma C o m m i t t e e i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e V i c e r o y .
Lord M o u n t b a t t e n w i l l e n d e a v o u r t o s e c u r e t h e a g r e e m e n t of
the Indian leaders to these changes.
If, however, t h e y
should p r e f e r the o r i g i n a l t e x t , t h e Committee thought
t h a t i t should be adhered t o .
The amendments p r o p o s e d
Paragraph
7 s h o u l d be r e d r a f t e d
are
to
as
follows
reads­
"Before the question a s . t o the p a r t i t i o n is
d e c i d e d i t i s d e s i r a b l e t h a t t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of
e a c h p a r t s h o u l d know i n a d v a n c e w h i c h c o n s t i t u e n t
assembly the P r o v i n c e as a whole would j o i n in t h e
e v e n t o f t h e two p a r t s s u b s e q u e n t l y d e c i d i n g t o
remain united.
T h e r e f o r e i f a n y member of e i t h e r
L e g i s l a t i v e A s s e m b l y so demands t h e r e s h o u l d b e
h e l d a m e e t i n g o f a l l members of t h e L e g i s l a t i v e
Assembly (other t h a n Europeans) at which a d e c i s i o n
w i l l b e t a k e n on t h e i s s u e as t o which ' . c o n s t i t u e n t
assembly the Province as a whole would j o i n i f i t
w e r e d e c i d e d b y t h e two p a r t s t o r e m a i n - u n i t e d . "
P a r a g r a p h 9;
The word " f i n a l " s h o u l d b e s u b s t i t u t e d
word " d e f i n i t i v e " i n the second s e n t e n c e . "
for
the
Paragraph 18;
P a n d i t N e h r u a n d Mr. J i n n a h h a v e a g r e e d t o
a s u g g e s t i o n by t h e V i c e r o y t h a t , as a means of a s c e r t a i n i n g
t h e w i s h e s of B r i t i s h B a l u c h i s t a n , a Commission composed
of one C o n g r e s s and one M u s l i m L e a g u e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e w i t h
a B r i t i s h Chairman should consult each J i r g a .
A reference
t o t h i s p r o c e d u r e s h o u l d b e made i n a n a d d i t i o n a l s e n t e n c e
in this paragraph.
Paragraph
15 s h o u l d b e r e d r a f t e d
to
reads­
" I n accordance with the mandates g i v e n t o them,
t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e v a r i o u s a r e a s w i l l e i t h e r
j o i n t h e e x i s t i n g C o n s t i t u e n t Assembly o r form t h e
new C o n s t i t u e n t A s s e m b l y . "