HC Deb 08 July 1931 vol 254 c2077
40. Mr. DOUGLAS HACKING

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the terms of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement, he proposes to take any action regarding the picketing of the shops of dealers in foreign cloth by Congress volunteers in Allahabad city?

Mr. BENN

From the Press reports which I have seen and to which the right hon. Member no doubt refers, I gather that the district magistrate is at pains to ensure that such picketing as takes place conforms to the terms of the agreement.

Mr. HACKING

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me the difference between a political boycott and an economic boycott carried out by a political party?

Mr. BENN

That appears to be a philisophic question of general import. It is quite obvious that an economic boycott is very different from a boycott which is specific and discriminate.

Mr. BRACKEN

Would it not be better to have a statesman instead of a philosopher at the India Office?