z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-10.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 784
784 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
point of All-India statistics generally—statistics, that is to say, for the purpose of Federation.
13,145. Lord Eustace Percy: I do not understand quite why it is necessary to limit it in that way. There is no reason why a Federal Government should not publish information and why its information should be entirely confined to the Federal field. It is not so in any other Federation I have ever heard of ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: But, surely a Federal Government can only act for the purposes of Federation. A Federal Government has no locus standi outside the field of Federation.
13,146. Lord Eustace Percy: Of course, it cannot publish a report on the intellectual and moral progress of India if the Provincial Governments will not supply the information, I agree, but that hardly need be anticipated ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: I do not think there is any difference of opinion between Lord Eustace and myself; my comment was only directed towards keeping this kind of activity within reasonable limits. If a Federal Government constantly worried Provincial Governments for all sorts of information that had nothing to do with the Federal Government. Then, I can foresee constant difficulties arising between them.
13,147. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Might I give this instance which comes to my mind ? Supposing, for instance, in a particular Province, criminal proceedings are taken against a foreigner and reference is made by his Government to the Government of India with regard to the proceedings taken against this particular foreigner in a Province, and the Government of India needs information in order to deal with the subject. Would the Government of India be in a position to require the Provincial Government to furnish information with regard to that subject ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: Yes, and also to take action. It would come within the field of foreign affairs.
13,148. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I submit that law and order would be a transferred subject ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: That may be so, but foreign affairs have special reservation. This Clause 125, which you are discussing now, I think, would cover that. Foreign affairs is a Federal subject. Under the second paragraph of Clause 125 the Federal Government could give directions to the Provincial Government.
13,149. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I mean, you see the necessity of the Central Government obtaining such information as is necessary for its purpose ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: Certainly, and I accept the need.
13,150. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: I thought I would draw your attention to it because I do not find the information in Proposal 125 ?
Sir Samuel Hoare: I think that presupposes obtaining the necessary information from the Provincial Government. It is intended to anyhow.