18. Mr. BUCHAN-HEPBURNasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that British owners of cotton mills in India are being compelled by means of the boycott to agree to hand over shares to Indians at a confiscatory price, to the election of Indian majorities to the boards of directors, or to other measures designed to bring about Indian control of British-owned businesses; and what steps are being taken to bring such a state of affairs to an end?
§ Mr. BENNMy attention has been called to pressure brought to bear upon British owners of cotton mills to appoint Indian directors; but I am not aware of any case in which such owners have been compelled to hand over shares at confiscatory prices. Breaches of the law would be dealt with by the Government, but I know of no way in which purchasers can be compelled to deal with British-controlled mills against their will.