HC Deb 21 April 1893 vol 11 c905
MR. BENSON (Oxfordshire, Woodstock)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the system of corvée, or compulsory unpaid labour, on wells and other sanitary works, which was introduced last year in the Central Provinces (British India), by Administrative Order, has been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government?

*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL,) North Beds.

No power exists under the Central Provinces Village Sanitation Act to establish a system of compulsory unpaid labour, nor has any such system been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government. The Secretary of State's attention has, however, been drawn to the words "species of miniature corvée labour" used in a Resolution by the Central Provinces Government of 23rd October, 1891, and he will inquire what is meant by it.