§ 99. Mr. A. SHAWasked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information as to action now being taken or in prospect regarding emigration from India; and whether any barriers are being placed in the way of Indians who choose to emigrate to British Colonies where their labour is important to essential industries?
§ Mr. PARKERMy right hon. Friend refers my hon. Friend to the answer given to his question on 28th June, 1921. The Indian Emigration Bill is expected to pass into law during the present Session of the Indian Legislature. The objects of this Measure arc, firstly, to give continued effect to the policy announced by Lord Hardinge's Government in 1917' abolishing the system of indentured emigration, and, secondly, to provide machinery for the ^control in future of the emigration of persons under an agreement to work for hire, or when assisted to emigrate with a view to 845 working for hire or engaging in agriculture. Emigration in this sense will be lawful in the case of unskilled workers to such countries only as may be notified by the Government of India after Resolutions of the Indian Legislature. The Government of India intend to ask the Legislature, pending examination provisionally, to approve a system of emigration to Ceylon and Malaya which is already in existence.