HC Deb 09 May 1932 vol 265 cc1525-6
6. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Indian organisations representative of both the employés and the employers in India are to be invited to submit their views on the issues to toe discussed at the Ottawa Conference before any proposals to be made at the Conference are formulated by the Indian delegation?

Sir S. HOARE

I understand that the Government of India have invited views from all important Commerce and Trade Associations. They consider the associations and chambers consulted to be fully representative of commercial interests generally as well as of employers and that no useful purpose would be served by consulting separately any organisations of employés.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Do we understand from that reply that the employés representatives are not to be consulted in any way?

Sir S. HOARE

I have left these consultations very much in the hands of the Government of India, but I am almost sure that they have consulted the main interests concerned.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman make sure that before any plans are formulated one way or the other that the employés are consulted?

Sir S. HOARE

I am prepared to trust the Government of India in this matter. I would much rather that all these questions connected with the Ottawa Conference were left to the Government of India as far as possible.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is unfair to consult the employers and not pay any attention to the employés?

Sir S. HOARE

I should not admit that that was so. In any case, I would prefer to leave the Government of India a free hand in these matters.