§ 6. Sir JOHN WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement as to the action taken by the Governor of Bombay and his executive council relative to the statement issued recently by several firms of European cotton brokers in Bombay, as a preliminary to the ending of the boycott in the Bombay cotton market, expressing sympathy with national aspirations of the Indians, declaring their desire to promote the restoration of political peace by the withdrawal of the ordinances and of civil disobedience, and favouring the early release of Mr. Gandhi and certain other political prisoners?
§ Mr. BUTLERThe firms informed the Government of Bombay of the nature of the statement they were being asked to sign and were informed that Government definitely disapproved of their issuing any such statement.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEIs the House to understand that, in spite of the disapproval of the Government of Bombay, this statement was signed by a number of European firms?
§ Mr. BUTLERYes, Sir.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEWill my hon. Friend take note of that fact and make it as public as possible that these European firms were induced to sign?
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESIs there anything unconstitutional at all in a number of firms making a declaration of sympathy with national aspirations in India?
§ Mr. BUTLERThere is nothing unconstitutional.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEWill my hon. Friend consider the point that these firms stated that they signed it under protest because of threats made against them; and will he inquire if that is the case, and, if so, whether the Government of Bombay not only disapproved of their signing it, but took steps to prevent them from being intimidated?
§ Mr. BUTLERI will certainly make inquiries.