§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information respecting the reported disturbances said to have taken place in connection with the strike of mill workers in Bombay. How many civilians, if any, have been killed or injured? How many police or soldiers were either killed or injured? What number of men, women 1929 and children are involved in the dispute, and can he tell the House the causes of the strike and what action the Governor-General or other persons in authority are taking to bring the parties together, in order to discover a means of settlement?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThe Government of Bombay, telegraphing on the 8th March, report that on the morning of the 7th serious disturbances broke out in the mill area in Bombay. They were caused by a notice posted up over the signature of the Chairman of the Millowners' Association. The notice stated that certain workers were prepared to resume work without conditions, and that the mills would reopen on the 8th. An attempt was made to set fire to mills, which was frustrated by the arrival of the police. There was extensive stone-throwing. The police guard was hemmed in at De Lisle Road, where dense crowds of strikers had collected. The guard was stoned from close quarters, and fired one or two shots in self-defence. The Commissioner of Police arrived with a police patrol, and the mob dispersed. In this area no casualties were noticed among the strikers, but one mounted policeman was seriously injured by stones, and there were other minor casualties among the armed police.
Later on, on the same road, the crowds re-formed, and a police picket was attacked on all sides near the Union Mill. It was compelled to open fire in self-defence. Two strikers were killed and three wounded, and one ringleader was arrested.
In the afternoon, at the north end of the same road, disturbance broke out again. In the compound of the Elphin-stone Mill the strikers set fire to cotton bales and heavily stoned the fire brigade, injuring three firemen.
The troops have been called out, and are kept ready in the disturbed area. The situation is serious, but all is now quiet, except for isolated cases of assault.
As regards the last part of the question, it was reported on 31st January that the total number of men affected by the strike was approximately 150,000. The strikers demand payment of a bonus, which, during recent years, has been paid annually at the New Year. The mill-owners are stated to have warned the workers last July that they would be 1930 unable to pay the bonus this year. The industry is passing through a period of depression owing to the high price of raw cotton. I have no detailed information as to action taken by the local authorities to discover a means of settlement of the dispute, but on 20th February it was reported that the mill-owners had agreed to the appointment of a Committee to consider the bonus question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYHow much damage has already been done by the strikers?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI cannot add anything to the information.