So far as industrial and labour disputes are concerned, as has been explained by Sardar Patel, this is a Provincial subject, but it has been felt desirable that there should be some uniformity of legislation followed by necessary executive action with regard to the industrial tribunals which may be constituted under Provincial laws for the purpose of settling disputes. After consultation with the Provincial Government and some of the Provincial Premiers, and representatives of Provincial Governments who were present in Delhi, it has been deemed desirable that during the interim period completely wide powers need not be taken over by the Government of India, but a suitable amendment may be made only in respect of those particular items which are now of an urgent character and which require an immediate solution. For this purpose, you will find from Amendment No. 9 that we have referred to industrial and labour disputes, trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of, products of industries the development of which is declared by Dominion law to be expedient in the public interest: the sanctioning of cinematographic films for exhibition; and inquiries and statistics for the purpose of any of the matters in the Concurrent Legislative List. This will mean a consequential change in clause 7, as originally provided in the Bill. The latter portion of clause (a) will be omitted and put in the Concurrent List. The result will be that so far as legislative powers are concerned, the Dominion Parliament will have ample powers to pass laws wherever necessary and such laws will supersede provincial laws, if any; so far as the executive authority is concerned in respect of these matters, it will also be open to the Dominion Parliament to pass laws and take over responsibility for executive administration, in case such a step is considered to be desirable or necessary. Sir, it is not intended that the Provincial Governments should not be utilised for purposes of co-ordinating the policy of the Central Government even in respect of those matters where central regulation and control are necessary in the interests of the whole country. Obviously in normal circumstances, the executive machinery, which will be utilised, will be the Provincial ,Governments themselves. But if an occasion arises when it is necessary for the Central Government to exercise executive authority in respect of matters, which are considered to be of an all-India importance, power to do so have to be taken over by the Government of India and the Dominion Parliament. A question has arisen whether this power should be exercised by the Dominion Legislature without consultation with the Provincial Governments. Hitherto whenever the Central Government or the Dominion Legislature had an occasion to take steps for introducing legislation for development of industries, previous consultations did take place with the Provincial Governments. I believe on a suitable occasion when the matter comes up a little while later, Sardar Patel will give an assurance on behalf of the Government that during the interim period before the new Constitution comes into force, if it is necessary for the Central Government to move in accordance with the powers which are now proposed to be taken under Amendment No. 9, previous consultation with Provincial Governments will always be held and the results of such consultation will be placed before the Legislature for information.
