HC Deb 03 March 1930 vol 236 cc5-6
10. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information as to attempts made to start a no-tax campaign or to resistance to the regulations governing the manufacture and sale of salt in India; and whether he can state under directions of which party such attempts have been made?

Mr. BENN

In certain districts of Bengal attempts have been in progress for some weeks to organise resistance to the payment of Union Board taxes with the assistance or at the instigation of the local Congress party. My latest information is that except at one place—Bandabilla—they have met with no success, and that at Bandabilla where the movement began as long ago as November last the tax is now being collected with less difficulty. In certain villages in the Tharawaddy district of Burma there has been a recrudescence of resistance to the Capitation Tax, but this has now collapsed, I have no information of any incidents in connection with salt.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman let this House have an opportunity of judging the so-called manifesto sent by Mr. Gandhi to the Viceroy, and particularly the reply?

Mr. BENN

If the hon. Member means, shall a debate take place, obviously he should not address that question to me.