SECTION 1
CHAPTER 1

DEMANDS FOR GRANTS 1963-64

Lok Sabha 8 April 1963

At the outset, I must thank the hon. Members who participated in the discussion on the Demands for defence, not only for the participation, but for the unanimous support for the Demands that they gave. Members from all sides of the House, belonging to different political parties, though they defined the task of defence in different ways and emphasised different aspects according to their own views, were in complete unanimity as far as the necessity about the size and nature of the Demands for defence were concerned.

I must also thank the hon. Members for another reason; for the general goodwill that they have shown towards me. I should not have brought this personal note in my speech, but I think it is my duty, when I consider this is a unique honour for me to make my maiden speech on these historic Demands for defence, looking to its size, looking tote time when it is introduced and looking to the conditions under which it has been introduced. Therefore, Sir, I am very grateful to the general sense of confidence that they showed about me.

I would like to explain the scheme of my speech, because I would like to finish as early as possible. I do not propose to go into the details of some of the administrative type of questions that were raised, but certainly I propose to deal with some major issues that were tried to be raised in the course of the debate. But I can assure those hon. Members who have raised questions of the nature of details that I will apply my mind very carefully to them, consider about them and, if at all, I come to any conclusions about them I will try to inform them individually and if, I consider they are of some importance, I shall certainly inform the House also.

One point that I must immediately mention is about the criticism that was made about too much secrecy and the lack of information. That was mentioned by some hon. Members. I would like to give a word of assurance to this House, that there is no question of having any attitude of mistrust in this hon. House, because this is the sovereign House of the country, a fountain of power for everyone who sits here and we all owe allegiance to it. When we do not give any information here, it does not mean any mistrust. It is only on the advice of those concerned with the information, that it is not considered to he in the public interest to disclose it, that such information is not given. But, at the same time, I do not want to make not any dogma about this   ‘‘ public interest “ matter. I propose to give certain information in the course of my speech that will possibly show that there is no question of trying to hide anything from this hon. House. Certainly, some items of information do appear in different Press, sometimes they are whispered from ear to ear, but certainly it makes all the difference when there is an official confirmation from the Government. I think it is much better that those who are interested to get the information about our country, from an adverse interest, are allowed to go on guessing about it. So, even though sometimes information is published in the Press, it is not necessary that it should be confirmed or contradicted officially from Government benches. At the same time, I am not trying to explain it away or decry the necessity of giving information to this House. So we will certainly try to supply as much information as possible, consistent with the security of the country and public interest.