§ 5. Mr. G. HALL (for Mr. D. GRENFELL)asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that after a mass meeting of workers had been arranged to take place, under the auspices of the Calcutta Port and Dock Workers' Union, at the Calcutta Maidan, the commissioner of police, Calcutta, by an order dated 11th March, 1934, prohibited for a period of seven days any public assembly in furtherance of or in connection with the Labour movement, or any other movement in any way connected therewith, and any public assembly organised or promoted by any person in any way connected with the Labour movement; and whether it is the policy of the Government of India to prohibit or restrict meetings of, or organised by, recognised trade unions in India?
§ 7. Mr. MAXTONasked the Secretary of State for India the reasons for the prohibition by the commissioner of police for a period of seven days of all labour demonstrations in Calcutta?
§ Sir S. HOAREAn order of the nature indicated was issued to prevent the repetition of such scenes as had occurred when meetings of two rival labour organisations were held on the Maidan under the red flag, bearing the emblem of the hammer and sickle, at which inflammatory speeches of a Communist type were made and the rival parties were only prevented from coming to blows by the police. It is not the policy of Government in India to interfere with meetings organised by recognised trade unions, and in this case the commissioner of police informed responsible labour leaders that the order which was issued at very short notice did not apply to their organisations.