26. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of cotton mills in India and how many of them are run with British capital; the average number of hours worked per 10 day; the wages paid to men, women, boys, and girls, and the youngest age at which children are allowed to work in the mills; and what special privileges are given to assist the export of British-made goods to that country?
§ Earl WINTERTONIn 1924–25 there were 255 cotton mills in British India. My Noble Friend is not aware in how many cases the capital is wholly or partly British, but in 1924 nearly 17 crores of the share capital invested in the mills in Bombay City were held by 54,000 Indians, and over two crores by 2,100 Europeans. Subject to a weekly maximum of 60 hours in the case of adults, the maximum daily limit of hours of work for persons over 15 years is 11, and for children under that age six; the minimum age for this part-time employment of children is 12. Average hours and earnings in the Bombay Presidency are stated in the Report of the Bombay Labour Office, of which a copy was sent to the Library of the House on 15th April, 1926. This shows that in practice the hours worked are less than the legal maxima. Statistics for the whole of India are not available. As regards the last part of the question, it is the policy of the Government of India to give identical treatment to imports from all sources.
§ Earl WINTERTONThis matter is one for the Province to deal with, and, as it is one for the Province to deal with and constant questions are asked in the Assembly, my Noble Friend is dependent for his information upon such information as may be sent to him by the Province. From the constitutional point of view, I very much doubt whether the information asked for in this question should even be given in this House, be-cause it is available by question and answer in India.
§ Colonel DAYCan the Noble Lord say whether the wages paid to the men, boys, and girls are shown in the answers?
§ Earl WINTERTONI will go through the answers given in the Assembly and see if there be a question and answer on that point.
§ Mr. T. SHAWIs it not a fact that in British India the hours are 60, while in the native States they are more?
§ Earl WINTERTONYes. I think what the right hon. Gentleman says is undoubtedly true, but, as he knows, it is a most difficult and intricate subject. I can assure the House that I will obtain all the information that is available; but it is very difficult to do so, in view of the fact that over some of the information this House and the Secretary of State have no real control.
§ Colonel DAYWhen the Noble Lord obtains the information, will he place it in the Library?
§ Earl WINTERTONI will send the hon. Member a copy of the replies given in the Assembly, and he can look through them himself.