§ 95. Mr. Skinnardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what demands were made by the strikers during the recent strike of bauxite workers in British Guiana; in what circumstances a proclamation was issued banning assemblies; and what action has been taken by the Government to assist in settling this dispute.
Mr. Creech JonesThe bulk of the workers employed by the Demarara Bauxite Company went on strike at midnight on 12th April following disagreement with the management on the interpretation of procedure for the avoidance and settlement of disputes. The workers had previously submitted demands for a substantial increase in wages and improved conditions of employment. A Committee of Inquiry was appointed by the Government at the end of May, after other means of settling the dispute had failed and the Governor reported on 17th June that the strike was over. The Committee of Inquiry has completed its investigation into the causes of the dispute and fuller information will be available when its report is received. I have 165W received no information regarding the issue of a proclamation banning assemblies, but the Governor reported on 21St May that in view of certain serious acts of violence which had occurred, he had felt bound to declare the area of the works to be a Proclaimed District under Title 10 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Ordinance, which prescribes penalties for assembling in a disorderly manner and refusing to disperse