HC Deb 22 July 1912 vol 41 cc795-6
93. Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

asked if the Government are taking any steps to carry out the recommendations of Lord Sanderson's Committee on Indentured Labour?

Mr. HARCOURT

The answer is in the affirmative.

Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

May I ask what communications have passed on the subject?

Mr. HARCOURT

I have been perfectly straightforward in answering the question. I will give the hon. Gentleman very fully any information he wishes.

102. Mr. DOUGLAS HALL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received from the All-Indian Moslem League a resolution passed last March, in winch the league, speaking on behalf of the Mahomedan population of India, urged upon the Government the necessity of stopping indentured labour; and if the Government intend to carry this resolution into effect?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)

I have not received the resolution, but I am aware that on 3rd March such a resolution was passed by the All-Indian Moslem League's meeting at Calcutta, which claimed to represent the Mahomedan population of India. The reasons for which the Government of India decline to stop the system of indentured emigration, and thereby to inflict very serious injury on Crown Colonies, and at the same time to debar British Indian subjects from employment overseas under careful provision for their welfare, were fully explained in the Debate in the Indian Legislative Council on 4th March. I may add that the recent Interdepartmental Committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Sanderson, recommended that the system should be allowed to continue, subject to the adoption of certain recommendations which they made with regard to particular Colonies. These recommendations are under discussion.

Sir J. D. REES

Is it a fact that the Committee recommended indentured labour as equally good for India and for the Colonies to which the natives went?

Mr. MONTAGU

Indentured labour has ceased in the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States. It only goes to the West Indies and Fiji, and the Interdepartmental Committee which considered the question recommended that there was no necessity for stopping it.