§ 29. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will explain why the Enticements Clauses in the draft Labour Bill were disallowed by the Secretary of State in view of the fact that such Clauses find a place in the Ceylon Labour Ordinance, were approved by the Labour Inquiry Committee, the Administration of Assam, and the Government of India, and are allowed by all these authorities to be needed to safeguard the planter against the loss he incurs when coolies, imported at his expense from distant Indian provinces, are enticed away without compensation to other employment?
Mr. ROBERTSThe hon. Member presumably refers to a Bill against enticement of labour that the local Government of Assam proposed in 1913 to introduce into its local Legislative Council. The Secretary of State was not able to approve its provisions, as they would have imposed on immigrant labourers in Assam restrictions from which the great majority of them are, in fact, free. The Bill consequently was not introduced. The Labour and Emigration Amendment Act which has just been passed by the Imperial Legislative Council never contained any Clause as to enticement. I am not aware that the Ceylon Labour Ordinance is open to the objections taken to the Bill discussed in Assam.
§ Sir J. D. REESIf there was an official recommendation in favour of the Enticements Clauses, surely these Clauses in substance should be in the Bill?
§ Sir J. D. REESWas not the inclusion of such Clauses officially recommended?