§ Mr. SAKLATVALAasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that 18,000 jute workers have been locked out by owners of mills of the Fort Gloucester group near Calcutta since 16th July last, with great hardship on the 62W workers; if the Government have inquired into the conditions of hours and wages of these workers; and if they intend to intervene with a view to bring about a just settlement?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy Noble Friend has received reports of this dispute the latest of which indicates that work has not been resumed. So far as I am aware, Government have not instituted, as the result of this dispute, any special inquiry into the conditions of the workers involved which, I believe, are already known. The reports received do not indicate any present intention on the part of the Government of Bengal of intervening in the dispute.