HC Deb 13 July 1944 vol 401 cc1863-4
11. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, to stimulate the building up of an effective trades union movement in India, he will consult with the Viceroy on the advisability of appoint- ing to his Executive Council a representative of the workers.

The Secretary of State for India (Mr. Amery)

The members of the Governor-General's Council are appointed on the ground of their capacity to administer the portfolio entrusted to each, and I am satisfied that the Member in charge of the portfolio of Labour (who belongs to a community which is predominantly working-class) is fully qualified to carry out the Government of India's policy of encouraging and supporting, by legislation and other means, the development of trades union organisation in India.

Miss Ward

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that much progress is needed to enable India to have a really strong trade union movement?

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir, but the progress will have mainly to come from trade unionism in India itself.

Sir Herbert Williams

Could I ask whether any Members of Congress belong to the trade union movement in India?

Back to