§ 2. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can indicate the contributory causes of the increase in the loss of working time through industrial disputes last year in industries in India?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe general strike in the Bombay mills was responsible for three-quarters of the time lost. The causes of the unrest of which this and other disputes are symptoms are too complex to be analysed in the reply to a question. Government look to the Royal Commission, over which Mr. Whitley will preside, for help in their diagnosis and cure; it is, however, beyond doubt that, quite apart from intelligible causes of discontent, the loss both to capital and labour in these disputes has been increased by the activities of Communist organisations and Communist emissaries from outside India who have lost no opportunity of fomenting industrial trouble during the year. Government are seeking to deal with this by the Public Safety Bill now before the Indian Legislative Assembly and my hon. Friend will find in the discussion on that Bill a fuller answer to his question than I can give here.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDo I understand from the Noble Lord that the only way of combating these Communist activities is by a rigorous application of this law? Have the Government of India considered the removal of these grievances as a method of combating these activities?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not think the hon. and gallant Member can have 1475 listened to my answer. I said that the Government look to the Royal Commission, over which Mr. Whitley will preside, for help in their diagnosis and cure.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALADoes not the Noble Lord realise that it is the duty of the Communists everywhere to carry on the workers struggle against you all?