HC Deb 19 January 1937 vol 319 cc15-6
26. Mr. T. Williams

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information as to the large-scale strike of operatives at the Ahmedabad cotton mills against wage cuts and the dismissal of employees, which has led to the Government prohibiting by executive orders meetings of strikers or the assembly of more than five persons in the city and to the police dispersing strikers by lathi charges?

Mr. Butler

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the strike which began in the Rajnagar group of textile mills on 26th October as a protest against the employment of new hands on reduced wages in one mill. On 27th October all the strikers, except 471 hands, resumed work, and by the second week of January a settlement had been reached for the reinstatement of all the old workers. The question of wages has been referred, along with other wage questions outstanding in the Ahmedabad textile industry, to an arbitration board. According to my information the strike was peaceful throughout and no prohibitory orders were issued by the local Government.

Mr. Williams

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to the wages paid and as to the wages contemplated on the reduced scale?

Mr. Butler

I should have notice of that question.