§ Mr. McENTEEasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House information regarding the strike of the textile workers at Sholapur which began in February; how many workers were involved; whether the strike was general; how long it lasted; what were the demands of the strikers; why the Government of India used the police 1268W against the strikers and issued orders restricting the freedom usually accorded to workers on strike in this country in the matter of picketing; and whether the strike extended to other centres?
§ Sir S. HOARESporadic strikes took place at Sholapur in the textile mills between 15th and 21st February as a protest against a 12½ per cent. cut in wages. All five mills at this centre were involved, and at one time 14,000 out of 17,000 workers were on strike. Later, over 9,000 were reported to be back at work, though the strike continues. My information is to the effect that a few arrests have been necessary to preserve peace and to deal with cases of assault or obstruction in the course of picketing, but that there has been no tendency to general disorder nor any necessity for extraordinary police measures. I have heard of no extension of this strike to other centres.