THE British Premier Mr. Clement Attlee, to a tense and expectant House of Commons on Thursday [May 16] afternoon read the plan outlined in Thursday’s White Paper which the British Cabinet Mission to India consider “the best arrangement to ensure speedy setting up of a new constitution” for India. The plan, which makes six major proposals to be submitted to India majority parties, urges immediate formation of an Interim Government for India, in which all portfolios, including that of War, would be held by Indian leaders.

The plan … further states that the Cabinet Mission have endeavoured “to be just to the small as well as the larger sections of the people”, and is designed to set in motion machinery “whereby a constitution can be settled by Indians for Indians”.

Before reading the Cabinet Mission’s statement, Mr. Attlee said: “…It is, I am afraid, a long statement. I shall have, I fear, to make a rather heavy demand on the patience of the House.…”

Mr. Winston Churchill, Leader of the Opposition, rose immediately. He said: “I think the Prime Minister was right to read to the House the able, but melancholy document to which we have listened….”

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2021