§ Mr. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the death rate in the Federated Malay States in 1908; and whether he would give the figures for rubber plantations, as well as for the general population, if available?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)The death rate in 1908 was approximately 38 per 1,000. No separate statistics are available as regards the death rate amongst labourers on rubber plantations.
§ Mr. J. WARDCan the hon. Gentleman give any explanation of the difference between a death rate of 38 per thousand and the previous figure of 84?
§ Colonel SEELYThe death rate given in reply to a previous question, to which I think the hon. Member refers, was for Indian indentured labourers. This is the general death rate. We have not the figures for all the labourers, but if the hon. Gentleman wishes us to obtain them we will try to do so.
§ Mr. J. WARDI think the House and the country would like to have them.
§ Colonel SEELYI will endeavour to obtain them.
§ Sir H. COTTONHas the hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the fact that the indentured labourers are adults—men in the prime of life—whereas the figures he has just given relate to the whole population?
§ Colonel SEELYYes, that is why I said I would try to get the figures. If the facts are as grave as they appear, it is certainly a very serious matter.