The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 49
49 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN These matters were bureaucratic routine and illustrate how there was no joint responsibility, as understood in a Cabinet. The Legislature could discuss, criticise, obstruct, pass resolutions and amend or reject official measures but it could not vote ministers out of office. The whole system had become unrealistic and anachronistic. In the Cabinet, Lord Willingdon very often obtained unanimous decisions. In one case out of ten, a vote was taken and majority decision was reached. His method of work was that the Member within whose portfolio the item under discussion was included, gave a brief account of it and made his presentation. Anybody who felt impelled asked a question or made a comment; and a friendly discussion took place. In most cases, an understanding was soon reached and the matter was disposed of accordingly. Failing this a vote had to be taken. Lord Linlithgrow's method was more formal and rigid. He was a very able man. The Archbishop of Canterbury, later Lord Lang, once remarked to me, "You know, Linlithgow with twice the ability of Willingdon is not half as successful a Viceroy. " He lacked the human touch. He wanted everything regulated along the prescribed lines. As soon as he had taken over, he intimated that Members should attend Council meetings in cutaway suits. We conformed, but soon we were overtaken by the war and then we rebelled. Sir James Grigg, who had succeeded Sir George Shuster as Finance Member, and loathed all ceremonial, had a word with me and we let Sir Gilbert Laithwaite know that we were too busy to spend time over changes of clothes in preparation for and on return from Cabinet meetings. We heard no more about it. His method was that as soon as we were seated, he would announce the first item on the agenda and ask for comments round the table in strict order of seniority. Each Member formulated his view and became committed to it, so that differences arose, discussion was prolonged, and the Viceroy's desire to obtain unanimity was defeated. Counting of votes became the rule. If only he had been informal and let people talk across the table, it might have been much easier. Lord Willingdon had the knack of putting everybody at ease within the first few minutes. I remember my very first interview with him - I was not yet a Member of Council and I had gone to see him over something or other in connection with the troubles that were going on in Kashmir, in the early 1930s. As I entered the room he got up from his chair, shook hands