Britain To Take Steps to End Uncertainty In India

Chronicle (Levin), 21 February 1947, Page 5

Britain To Take Steps to End Uncertainty In India

—Press Assiciation

By Telegraph-

Received Friday, 10.50 a.m. LONDON, February 20. Lord Wavell's appointment as Viceroy oi' India has been terminated and Admiral Viscount Mountbatten has been appointed his successor. Viscount Mountbatten- will take over his new duties in March. Mr. Attlee announeed this iii ihe Hotise of Commons this afternoon. Later No. 10 Downing Street announeed that the Kmg had conferred an Earldcm on Lord Wavell.

Mr. Attlee said the British Gov-| ernment definitely intended to take. the necessary steps to transfer* its power into responsible Indian hands by not later than June, 1948. The present state of uncertainty! between the parties in India was ' fraught with danger and could not be indefinitely prolonged. If the! Constituent Assembly in India hadl not worked out a constitution in accordance with the British Cabinet mission's proposals before June, 1948, the British Government would have to consider to whom the powers of central government in India should be handed. With regard to the Indian States, Mr. Attlee , said the Government did not intend to hand over its power and obligations under the Paramountcy Act to any government of British India. Mr. Attlee said that Viscount Mountbatten would remain on the Navy's active list and his future naval eareer would not be prejudiced. Mr. Churchill said that Lord Wavell was entitled to be treated reasonablv. He asked what had led to his removal or dismissal.

Mr. Attlee replied: "Lord Wavell was not appointed for a fixed term. It was thought that the changed phase of the Indian problem was a suitable time to make a change." Mr. Churchill: "What disagreements have arisen between Lord Wavell and the British Government?" Mr. Attlee: "I don't propose to add anything to my statement."