HC Deb 25 May 1936 vol 312 cc1638-9
1. Mr. SORENSEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many strikes have occurred in industrial concerns in India during the past 12 months; in how many cases the local governments concerned offered any resistance to the workers or their representatives to obtain a redress of their grievances; and what progress is being made towards carrying out the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Labour to improve working-class conditions in India?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)

There were 145 disputes in 1935, in none of which has there been any evidence of resistance offered by the local governments to the legitimate industrial demands of the workers. A copy of the latest report, dated 1935, showing the action taken on the recommendations of the Whitley Commission, is being placed in the Library.

Mr. SORENSEN

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is largely owing to the slow progress made with the recommendations of the Whitley Commission there have been so many strikes?

Mr. BUTLER

I do not agree with the hon. Member's suggestion that progress with the recommendations of the Whitley Commission has been slow. If the hon. Member will read what I have put in the Library, I think that he will agree with me.

Back to