HC Deb 28 June 1921 vol 143 cc1962-4
11. Mr. A. SHAW

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information regarding new Indian legislation with respect to emigration; whether the new Measure, if passed, will for the first time include Ceylon as a country to which emigration is restricted by special regulations; and whether the ports of Negapatam and Tuticorin, and other ports from which emigration ordinarily takes place to Ceylon, are not mentioned in the Bill among those from which emigration will be permitted?

Mr. MONTAGU

The Indian Emigration Bill, the objects of which are to continue the prohibition against indentured emigration from India and to provide for the control of emigration in the future, was introduced in the Legislative Assembly on the 21st March. I shall be happy to send to my hon. Friend a copy of the Bill and a copy of the explanatory speech made by the hon. Member in charge when introducing it, if he so desires. The Bill applies to emigration by sea to all countries, and both in the case of skilled and unskilled workers emigration shall be lawful only from the ports of Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, and Karachi, and such other ports as may be notified. Pending further examination, however, the Government of India propose to ask the Legislature provisionally to approve the present system of emigration to Ceylon and the Straits Settlements.

Mr. SHAW

Can my right hon. Friend say why the ports of Negapatam and Tuticorin, which are the ports ordinarily used by coolies going to Ceylon, are not mentioned in the Bill? Is this a case of arbitrary action by the Executive?

Sir J. D. REES

Is my right hon. Friend aware that hitherto emigration to Ceylon has not been regarded as emigration, and that India and Ceylon are so close together and the movement is of such long standing that the utmost inconvenience and hardship will probably result to coolies if previously existing arrangements are totally interfered with?

Mr. MONTAGU

It was because of that that the Government of India propose, as I have said, to ask the Legislature provisionally to approve the present system of emigration.

Sir J. D. REES

Will the right hon. Gentleman send me the papers in this case, because I think a provisional arrangement will hardly meet the case?

Mr. MONTAGU

Certainly.

Mr. SHAW

Will the question of these ports be taken up by the Government of India?

Mr. MONTAGU

Perhaps my hon. Friend will read the Bill. I think he will find that it is all right.