§ 120. Mr. Herbert Hughesasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that 86,000 Indian estate workers in Ceylon are on strike against the village expansion scheme of the Ceylon Ministry of Agriculture; and what action is being taken by the Government of India and by his Department to ensure that Indians born in Ceylon shall be eligible to participate in such 18W schemes on a basis of equality with other sections of the population.
§ Mr. A. HendersonI have received no official information from the Government of India regarding these strikes, nor do I know what representations the Government of India have made to the Government of Ceylon. As regards the facts, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and as regards action by my Department he will no doubt be aware that in these matters the Government of India are in direct contact with the Government of Ceylon through their own representative.
§ 121. Mr. Herbert Hughesasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has yet made any agreement with the Government of Ceylon on the question of franchise for the Indian estate workers under the new Constitution.
§ Mr. A. HendersonNo, Sir.