§ 17. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received a copy of the Trade Union Bill which has secured a third reading in the legislative assembly at Colombo; and, if so, what action does he propose to take?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware from the Minutes of the State Council, of which I have seen a copy, that the Bill was read for a third time on the 29th of March. I shall no doubt receive the text from the Governor at an early date, but it has not yet reached me.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWhen the right hon. Gentleman receives the text of the Bill, will he take an opportunity of examining it and its possible effect upon the disorganised workers of Colombo; and will he in due time inform the House what action he is likely to take in regard to it?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI cannot inform the House as to what my action is likely to be towards the measure until I receive the Bill, but of course the Bill will come home in due course in the ordinary way.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all those who claim to be able to speak for the organised, or disorganised, workers, were opposed to this measure, and that they regard it as the one means of preventing the workers of Colombo from being organised; and will he take note of that fact when he is examining the Bill?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI will take note of everything, but I presume that all these matters were debated in the State Council when the Bill was under consideration.