The Cabinet Papers banner  Indian independence  End of the war
and independence  The British government could no longer ignore
nationalist aspirations. The new Government of India Bill in
1935 virtually removed provincial government from imperial
authority. The bill provided for a legislative assembly,
comprising provincial representatives and unelected delegates
from the princely states. This was unsatisfactory to the
nationalists, because of the over-representation of unelected
members and because the Viceroy continued to control foreign
affairs, the army and some aspects of finance. Reforms seemed to
be effective in satisfying Indian political aspirations, but
this changed with the outbreak of the Second World War.  British
rule in India, however, was plagued by crises during the Second
World War. Indian support was essential to the British cause and
the demands of the war effort put great strain on India. The
Indian National Congress opposed the war during the early 1940s.
In 1942 Stafford Cripps offered