Previous Year Question

After the Second World War, the Labour Government under Clement Attlee came to power in Britain. To advance the process of transfer of power and constitution-making in India, the Cabinet Mission was sent to India in 1946.

The Mission was led by Lord Pethick-Lawrence, who was then the Secretary of State for India.

The Cabinet Mission consisted of three British Cabinet Ministers—

Lord Pethick-Lawrence — Secretary of State for India
Sir Stafford Cripps — President of the Board of Trade
A. V. Alexander — First Lord of the Admiralty

The Mission arrived in India in March 1946. Its principal objective was to negotiate with Indian political parties and work out a procedure for constitution-making and the formation of an Interim Government.

The Mission issued its major constitutional proposals on 16 May 1946. It proposed a Union of India dealing primarily with subjects such as Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communications, while providing extensive powers to the provinces.

The Cabinet Mission Plan also provided the basis for the subsequent process of constituting the Constituent Assembly. However, serious differences persisted between the Congress and the Muslim League over the interpretation and implementation of the Plan.

It should be remembered that Lord Wavell was the Viceroy of India at the time, but he was not one of the three members of the Cabinet Mission.