4. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the 1058 Indian cotton mills are subject to requirements like those of our Factory Acts; what is the minimum age at which children and young persons may be employed in them; what are the restrictions on the hours of employment; and what are the current rates of wages?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINCertain restrictions are in force, but they are, of course, not identical with those imposed in this country. The minimum age for children is nine years, and the maximum number of hours for their employment in any one day is six. The category of "young persons" is not found in the Indian Act. A statement of wages current in Bombay and Ahmedabad, taken from the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1915, will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.—[See Written Answer.]
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINYes, there is restriction.
§ 7. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Secretary of State for India what sum in pounds sterling would represent a 4 per cent. rise in price on the present value of the annual output of the cotton mills of India?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe value of cotton piece goods produced in the Indian mills in 1915–16 was approximately 9¾ millions sterling. This sum, divided by 25, gives £390,000. I have not the corresponding figures of the value of the output of yarn, thread and other miscellaneous cotton manufactures. May I ask leave of the House to say that in looking at the report of a question put to me by the hon. Member the other day I found I had misheard or misapprehended his question? I regret the answer I gave.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the fact that as the duty is to be 4 per cent., the mill-owners will be able to add this sum of £400,000 to their present profits by a rise in prices to that extent?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, I do not think that will be the effect of the change in the duties which is proposed, but I cannot enter into that in answer to a question.