Previous Year Question
With reference to the Cabinet Mission, which of the following statements is/are correct?
It recommended a federal government.
It enlarged the powers of the Indian courts.
It provided for more Indians in the ICS.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Only Statement 1 is correct.
The Cabinet Mission consisted of Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Sir Stafford Cripps and A. V. Alexander. The Mission and Viceroy Lord Wavell presented the Plan on 16 May 1946.
Statement 1 is correct: The Plan recommended a Union of India comprising British India and the Princely States. The Union Government was assigned only the following subjects:
Foreign affairs
Defence
Communications
Power to raise the finances required for these subjects
The Union was to have its own executive and legislature. All subjects other than the Union subjects and all residuary powers were to vest in the Provinces. The Provinces were also free to form groups having their own executives and legislatures. Therefore, the arrangement was federal in character.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Cabinet Mission Plan did not recommend enlarging the powers of Indian courts. The Plan mentioned consultation with the Federal Court by the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly while deciding certain communal questions, but this did not constitute an enlargement of the powers of the courts.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Plan contained no provision for recruiting more Indians into the ICS or for the Indianisation of the ICS. It provided for a Constituent Assembly and an Interim Government. All portfolios in the Interim Government, including that of the War Member, were proposed to be held by Indian leaders, but this was unrelated to ICS recruitment.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) 1 only.