z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-10.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 748
748 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
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Secretary of state for India’s Evidence before the Joint Committee on Indian Constitutional Reform
†The Right Hon. Sir Samuel Hoare, Bt., G.B.E., C.M.G., M.P., Sir Malcolm Hailey, G.C.S.L., G.C.L.E., and Sir Findlater Stewart, K.C.B., K.C.I.E., C.S.I.
‡6394. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I have not followed it I think even under Proposals 92 and 95, although the Legislature may be in Session, the Governor will not be bound to put his legislation before the Legislature if he so thinks ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: That is perfectly true. The Governor has full discretion.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: The Governor has full discretion ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: Whether for ordinances or for legislation, on his own initiative.
§6440. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I want to pursue this point a stage further. You said that would depend on the circumstances of the case. That was not the question of Sir Tej Sapru. The question is, is this Clause wide enough to give the power to intervene and say : “No, this will interfere with peace and tranquillity, and I will not allow you to introduce this legislation” ?
Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru: The Clause is merely wide enough to allow the Governor to take action if he is convinced that it will lead to a grave menace to the peace and tranquillity of the Province, not mere that he thinks such legislation is undesirable in the interests of one class or another.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: If he comes to that conclusion this clause is wide enough for him to say : “I will not allow you to proceed with such legislation” ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: I can only say we have had in the United Provinces within the last two years the menace of very grave trouble indeed arising out of the agrarian situation, and dealing with the rental question. There was a stage then when, in my opinion, this clause would undoubtedly have applied, but it would have applied because there was threatening of actual risings of tenants in certain parts of the Province. I would not have held that it would have applied if it had been merely the case that one class or other would have been prejudicially affected by the Legislature.
¶6533. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I want to know whether the Secretary of
†Sir Samuel Hoare was the Secretary of State for India, Sir Malcolm Hailey was the Governor of United Province, and Sir Findlater Stewart was the Permanent Under Secretary of India Office, London.
‡Minutes of Evidence, Vol. II-B, 14th July 1933, p. 729.
§ Ibid., p. 735.
¶ Ibid., p. 747.