2. Charged in these historic words, we—the Cabinet Ministers and the Viceroy—have done our utmost to assist the two main political parties to reach agreement upon the fundamental issue of the unity or division of India. After prolonged discussions in New Delhi we succeeded in bringing the Congress and the Muslim League together in conference at Simla. There was a full exchange of views and both parties were prepared to make considerable concessions in order to try to reach a settlement, but it ultimately proved impossible to close the remainder of the gap between the parties and so no agreement could be concluded. Smce no agreement has been reached, we feel that it is our -duty to put forward what -we consider are the,. best arrangements possible to ensure a speedy setting up of the new constitution. This statement is made with the full’ approval of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.