§ 44. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any further statement with regard to the boycott of British goods in India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)I am keeping closely in touch with the Government of India in this matter, but at present I have nothing to add to the information I have already given.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan my right hon. Friend inform me when he expects to get some definite information about this matter?
§ Mr. BENNI answered that question yesterday. We must wait a few days before we can get any official figures about imports.
§ Mr. D. HACKING (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of Mr. Gandhi's proposal that stocks of British cloth at, present in India should be re-exported to places outside India; and, if so, whether he will take immediate steps to make it clear that such action is not in accordance with the recent agreement, signed by His Excellency the Viceroy and Mr. Gandhi.
§ Mr. BENNThe right hon. Gentleman was only able to give me notice of this question after two o'clock. I have only seen a Press statement, and have no official information as to the proposal mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, but I will inquire.
§ Mr. HACKINGIn view of the fact that this is a most serious form of boy- 2023 cott, if the information I have is correct, will the right hon. Gentleman take action?
Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMANIs it not the case that mill owners are the real instigators of the boycott, which is keeping tens of thousands of people in Lancashire out of work, and will he not do something?