CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
Which statement best summarises the committee's role?
A. It conducted the 1937 elections
B. It converted broad proposals into recommendations suitable for legislation
C. It declared Pakistan independent
D. It abolished the British Parliament
Correct Answer: B
The committee was the bridge between the White Paper and the statutory settlement.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The work of the committee led most directly to the introduction of:
A. The Government of India Bill
B. The Indian Independence Bill of 1947
C. The Cripps Proposals
D. The Cabinet Mission Plan
Correct Answer: A
The committee report was followed by the bill that became the 1935 Act.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The committee had to reconcile criticism that safeguards were too numerous with criticism that reform was:
A. Too focused on Pakistan
B. Too dependent on universal suffrage
C. Too favourable to elected defence control
D. Too rapid and extensive
Correct Answer: D
The committee faced opposition both from Indian nationalists and British conservatives.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
Parliament accepted the Joint Select Committee report as the basis for:
A. A military alliance
B. Partition boundaries
C. Revision of the Indian Constitution
D. The creation of the United Nations
Correct Answer: C
The Lords debate in December 1934 considered the report the basis for constitutional legislation.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The Joint Select Committee could amend or recommend changes to:
A. The Lahore Resolution
B. The White Paper proposals
C. The Pakistan Constitution of 1973
D. The Indian Independence Act after 1947
Correct Answer: B
The proposals were not final and were subject to committee scrutiny.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
Indian representatives consulted by the committee could provide:
A. Evidence and advice
B. Votes as regular members of the British Parliament
C. Orders binding on the British Cabinet
D. Judgments of the Federal Court
Correct Answer: A
Indian representatives were consulted, but parliamentary membership and voting remained with British legislators.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The committee's examination is described as:
A. A one-day formality
B. A secret military trial
C. A provincial election campaign
D. Extensive and detailed
Correct Answer: D
Members described the inquiry as exhaustive and lasting more than eighteen months.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The Joint Select Committee completed its main examination in:
A. 1928
B. 1940
C. 1934
D. 1947
Correct Answer: C
By late 1934, Parliament was debating acceptance of the committee's recommendations.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The committee's chairman later became Viceroy of India. He was:
A. Lord Wavell
B. Lord Linlithgow
C. Lord Irwin
D. Lord Mountbatten
Correct Answer: B
Lord Linlithgow chaired the committee and later served as Viceroy.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The Joint Select Committee began its work in:
A. 1933
B. 1919
C. 1940
D. 1946
Correct Answer: A
It was established after publication and debate of the White Paper in 1933.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
From the Pakistan Movement perspective, the failure of constitutional compromise contributed to:
A. The disappearance of Muslim political identity
B. Immediate acceptance of unitary rule
C. Ending all constitutional demands
D. Growing demand for a separate Muslim political future
Correct Answer: D
Pakistan Studies texts link repeated constitutional failure with the movement from safeguards toward separate independence.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
Which statement best describes Muslim political concerns?
A. Muslim leaders wanted no representation
B. Muslims opposed all provincial autonomy
C. Constitutional safeguards and communal representation remained central
D. The White Paper fully settled every communal issue
Correct Answer: C
The communal problem remained unresolved despite proposed safeguards.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The princely states were cautious mainly because they wanted:
A. Immediate abolition of their states
B. Their rights, safeguards and autonomy protected before accession
C. Universal election of rulers
D. Direct rule by Congress
Correct Answer: B
The rulers did not give unconditional acceptance to federation.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
Indian nationalist critics generally argued that the proposals did not go:
A. Far enough toward self-government
B. Far enough toward permanent British rule
C. Far enough toward abolishing elections
D. Far enough toward military government
Correct Answer: A
Thus the White Paper faced criticism from opposite directions in Britain and India.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
British Conservative critics often argued that the White Paper went:
A. Not far enough toward immediate independence
B. Too far toward Pakistan
C. Against provincial autonomy because it was too democratic
D. Too far and too fast
Correct Answer: D
One major British criticism was that the reforms endangered imperial control.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
Which British politician became a famous opponent of Indian constitutional concessions in this period?
A. Clement Attlee
B. Stafford Cripps
C. Winston Churchill
D. Edwin Montagu
Correct Answer: C
Churchill and Conservative 'die-hards' argued that the proposals transferred too much authority.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
Indian critics compared the offered responsibility to a fragile structure backed by:
A. Universal adult voting
B. Strong autocratic reserve powers
C. A sovereign Indian cabinet
D. Complete control of defence by Indians
Correct Answer: B
Contemporary criticism stressed that responsible institutions could be overridden.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
A Congress resolution stated that the White Paper did not express:
A. The will of the people of India
B. The opinion of British conservatives
C. The views of provincial governors
D. The position of the princes
Correct Answer: A
Congress declared that the proposals did not represent Indian popular will.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
The Indian National Congress criticised the White Paper mainly because it:
A. Abolished British safeguards completely
B. Granted immediate independence
C. Created universal adult franchise
D. Did not provide genuine full responsible government
Correct Answer: D
Congress argued that reserve powers and safeguards restricted responsible government.
CSS - PMS - CCE - PCS - Pakistan Affairs (P.A)
1940- Constitutional Proposals - White Paper
How did most Indian political opinion react to the White Paper?
A. With unanimous approval
B. With no interest
C. With strong criticism or dissatisfaction
D. By demanding restoration of Company rule
Correct Answer: C
Many Indian parties regarded the proposals as inadequate and overburdened with safeguards.