§ Sir HENRY COTTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he was aware that the death-rate among Indian indentured labourers in the Federated Malay States in 1908 amounted to 84.8 per thousand; and whether the Government of India are taking any steps for the protection of the lives of British-Indian subjects who are indentured for labour on the rubber plantation in the Malay States?
The MASTER of ELIBANKThe figures referred to by the hon. Member have been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State, and the report of the Resident-General containing them has been communicated direct to the Government of India, whose views on any action that it may be practicable to take will be received in due course. As the hon. Member is aware, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, in reply to a question on 4th October, undertook to make inquiries of the High Commissioner.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDMay I ask whether the percentages given in the question are correct?
The MASTER of ELIBANKI understand that the facts as stated are correct, and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies is making inquiries.
§ Sir H. COTTONDoes this matter come within the purview of the Committee recently appointed to inquire into the case of the indentured labourers in the Colonies?
§ Sir CHARLES W. DILKEThere is also the case of the Mauritius?