A good example of a war-time debate is that which
took place on India this week. But this was due in no small measure to the fact that Mr. Amery is respected on all sides of the House, and that he put all his cards on the table. His opening speech and even more his reply were models of frank, careful and knowledgable statements. Consequently, they produced good and suggestive speeches from Sir George Schuster, Sir Stanley Reed, Mr. Godfrey Nicholson, Mr. Wilfrid Roberts, Colonel Wedgwood, and Lord Winterton. Many speakers, including Mr. Ammon, were anxious to know more of the actual war preparations in India, and how many men India was capable of putting into the field. Mr. Amery mentioned the figure of soo,000, though this fighting strength was conditioned by the provision of modern war-equipment. A number of sugges- tiops were made by various speakers which might help to make for better understanding. Some wanted Mr. Amery to go to India, others wanted Sir Tej Sapru to come over here, Sir George Schuster canvassed the idea of an Indian Under-Secre- tary of State. With so much goodwill abroad it remains for Mr. Amery to take his undoubted courage in both hands and act boldly. He will have a united Commons behind him.
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