The Reminiscences of Zafrulla Khan — Page 73
73 REMINISCENCES OF SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN So that was settled in London, but by the time I got back to India I found trouble had been brewing. R R R R R INTERVIEW - MAY 19, 1962 Khan : The Secretary of State asked me how long I was staying in England, and I told him until the middle or end of November. He said he would give directions that I should see documents and dispatches concerning the Ottawa Trade Agreement, and other important matters comprised in the portfolio that I was to take over. He added that when I went back to India, he would let the Viceroy know that papers relating to all those subjects should be sent to me at Lahore, so that when I took over the portfolio in the following April or May I should to some degree be familiar with the problems with which I would have to deal. When I got back to India, a serious difficulty arose. Shortly after my return to Lahore, I received a message from Sir Eric Mieville, the Private Secretary to Lord Willingdon, that the Viceroy wished to see me and would I go down to Delhi at some convenient time and let him know when I could be expected. I went down and saw the Viceroy and he told me that some of his colleagues were a little worried over the distribution of portfolios and would I be prepared to discuss the matter with them. I asked the Viceroy what was proposed, and the proposal broadly was that a portfolio of communications comprising railways, telegraphs, post office, etc. should be constituted, which would be held by one of the European Members. The idea was that Sir Frank Noyce should take it over, and that I should keep Commerce. I told the Viceroy that my initial reaction was not favourable to any such change, but I told him that I would be happy to discuss the matter with anyone he wished. He said I had better see Sir James Grigg first, the Finance Member, and later meet Sir Josephy Bhore and Sir Frank Noyce, and perhaps also Sir N. N. Sarkar. He was the Law member, and was anxious to have something more besides law as he said law did not occupy him all the time. I had not met Sir James Grigg before, though I had heard about him. The Viceroy, when suggesting to me that I might go down and see him, had said, "Oh, my dear, I am sure you will get along all right with him, but never mind his language. His language is not always that of a gentleman, but he does not mean any harm by that. " Then he had called Sir Eric Mieville and said, "Eric, will you ring up Grigg and ask him