§ MR. ARTHUR ELLIOT (Durham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the disadvantages under which "Purdanishins" labour in India; and whether he will consider the advisability of steps being taken to protect them against injustice by permitting competent women to qualify as their legal advisers.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)I have not had the matter officially before me; the disabilities which the custom of the country imposes upon ladies in the greater part of India in the management of their affairs are, however, well known; and I believe that the Government has had under its consideration some proposals for allowing women to qualify as their 459 legal advisers, but I have not been informed whether any conclusion has been arrived at.