§ Sir CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the Secretary of State for India whether he will lay before the House a Return showing in what cases and on what grounds the Government of India has, since the date of the Commission of Inquiry into the coolie system in British Guiana appointed in 1870, forbidden, or, having once allowed, has stopped the export of indentured Indian coolie labour to foreign countries or to British colonies.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The only cases since 1870 in which the export of indentured Indian labour, after having once been allowed, has been stopped by the Government of India have been those of certain foreign colonies, and the cases of refusal by the Government of India to permit emigration have been confined to foreign countries and do not include any British colonies. In view of international susceptibilities it would not be expedient to publish the correspondence showing the grounds on which this action was taken.