HC Deb 13 July 1931 vol 255 cc5-6
3. Mr. REMER

asked the Secretary of State for India if any British cloth has actually been re-exported by the Foreign Piece Goods Export Company, Limited?

Mr. BENN

So far as I know, no British cloth has been re-exported by the company.

9. Mr. DOUGLAS HACKING

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received a report from the Government of India regarding the action taken to prohibit the circulation by Congress agents of letters of covenant demanding that merchants shall cease to deal in foreign piece goods?

Mr. BENN

Yes, Sir; the issue of these letters was at once brought to the notice of Mr. Gandhi, with the result that they have been withdrawn.

Mr. HACKING

Do I understand that Congress has been guilty of a breach of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement?

Mr. BENN

The right hon. Gentleman must understand that the letters have been withdrawn.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Is Mr. Gandhi now the Government of India?

Mr. HANNON

Why is reference made to Mr. Gandhi instead of to the Government of India?

Mr. BENN

When the question was brought to my notice it was referred to the Government of India. They have taken such action as has resulted in the withdrawal of these letters.

10. Mr. HACKING

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received the report from the Government of India regarding the resolution recently passed by the working committee of Congress insisting upon complete prohibition both of the sale of existing stocks and of the importation of any further stocks of foreign cloth; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

Mr. BENN

Yes, Sir. As a result of the investigation which I mentioned in replying to similar questions on 22nd June the Government of India have satisfied themselves that the intention of the working committee in adopting this resolution was, firstly, to stop the grant by subordinate Congress organisations of positive permission to deal in foreign cloth contrary to the declared Congress policy; and secondly, to take disciplinary action against the individual members of Congress or Congress organisations who offended against Congress policy in this connection. The Government of India are satisfied that it was not the intention to suggest that consumers and sellers generally were not free to exercise their option to deal or not to deal in foreign cloth.

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