Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) regarding the mass of information circulating in India about the fall of Singapore and suggesting that the Viceroy [and Governor-General of India, 2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] carry out a private enquiry.

Telegram from the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) to WSC regarding the critical issue of responsibility for the defence of India: comments that whilst Britain cannot give up any of the responsibility for defence there is a need to raise the keenness of Indians to defend their country, and encloses the text of a paragraph for approval before publication.

Telegram from WSC to the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) authorising proposed amendment to the clause [on responsibility for the defence of India, see CHAR 20/72/122] and suggesting minor changes to the wording; states that he is glad that Cripps has made it clear that his mission does not extend to Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]. Annotated that [? Gerard Clauson], India Office, is circulating to those it may concern, including the [? Minister of Information, Brendan Bracken].

Telegram from the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) to WSC reciting the full text of the amended paragraph regarding responsibility for the defence of India [see CHAR 20/72/122-4].

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, asking for clarification of the orders given by Wavell to Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] before the fall of Singapore.

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC informing him of the report of the success of a meeting between General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma] and Generalissimo [Chiang-Kai-shek, Chinese Nationalist leader]; states that he is flying to Maymyo [Burma, later Myanmar] tomorrow.

Telegram from WSC to John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] informing him of the movement of a British armoured division around the Cape [South Africa] in late April or early May, and pledging to divert this force should Australia be invaded. [See also CHAR 20/73/12 for correction].

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on the heavy enemy air attack against Malta and British difficulties in providing adequate Spitfire reinforcements; asks that the United States aircraft carrier Wasp be used to take Spitfires from the Clyde [Scotland] to Malta and suggests the third week of April.

Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC commenting on the establishment of the Pacific War Council in Washington [United States]: comments on likely differences between the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] and Australia and New Zealand over the role of the council; proposes to suggest inclusion of an Indian representative on the Council.

Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC regarding the announcement by Stephen Early, Press Secretary to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] of the creation of a Pacific War Council in Washington; relates details of the press release including the composition of the council.

Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC stating that the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] is not inviting India to be represented on the Pacific War Council but is seeing officials of Indian Government separately. Repeated to the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun].

Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC reciting the text of a letter sent by Cripps to Congress leaders suggesting a meeting between themselves, Jawaharlal Nehru and the Commander-in- Chief [General Sir Archibald Wavell] to discuss the question of responsibility for the defence of India.

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in- Chief, India] (Burma) to WSC regarding the latest situation in Burma [later Myanmar]: reports on the itinerary of the visit; states that the situation at both Toungoo [Burma] and Prome [Burma] appears unfavourable; comments on the inability of the Governor of Burma [Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] to remove ineffective civil servants due to the Government of Burma Act.

Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC summarizing the resolution of the Congress Working Committee rejecting Government proposals for the future of India and quoting verbatim the paragraph regarding defence.

Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt to WSC regarding his request for American assistance in transporting Spitfires to Malta [see CHAR 20/73/13-14] and commenting on the availability of the Furious.

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC enclosing texts of messages exchanged between Wavell and Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] on 13 February 1942 regarding the situation in Singapore Town [see also CHAR 20/73/47].

Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC regarding India: states that India is now the key to the whole defence of the Empire and advises against putting that key in unskilled Indian hands.

Second and last part of telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, to WSC enclosing texts of messages exchanged between Wavell and Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] between 14 and 15 February 1942 regarding the situation in Singapore Town.