§ 3. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the total number of men, women, and children under the age of 14 that are employed in underground work in the coal mines of Bengal, Central India, and Southern India; and what are the average wages for men, women, and children so employed?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe number of men, women, and children employed in underground work in the coal mines of British India in 1921 was 65,786,42,000, and 1,171 respectively. The returns relate to children under 12 (not under 14). About 1843 90 per cent. of the above workers were employed in Northern India (Bengal and Bihar and Orissa). Statistics of the average wages paid are not available.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we to understand that we tolerate the employment of children under 12 years of age in a country under British rule?
§ Earl WINTERTONFrom 1st July, or some date in the summer of next year, the employment of children under 13 will be prohibited throughout British India.
§ 4. Mr. SMITHalso asked what was the total number of accidents, in the 10 years 1913 to March, 1923, in the coal mines in India; how many cases were fatal; how many cases of serious injuries; and how many were reported as slight injuries and what was the total amount of compensation or pension paid in each of these three groups of victims?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe official returns for the 10 years to 31st December, 1921, the latest available, do not give the total number of accidents in coal mines or the number of slight injuries. During that period there were 1,465 fatal accidents, involving 1,871 deaths, and 2,212 serious non-fatal accidents, involving serious injury to 2,306 persons. There is no information as to the amounts of compensation or pension paid in these cases. As the Workmen's Compensation Act was not yet in force during the period, the payment of compensation was enforceable only by civil suit.
§ 5. Mr. SMITHfurther asked what was the total number of men, women and children employed in the coal mines of India during the official year ending in March, 1923; what was the total number of days of employment in the year; the average number of hours of each shift; what was the total output of coal brought to the surface; and what quantity was exported out of India?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe latest statistics available relate to the calendar year 1921. The total number of men, women and children employed in the coal mines of British India in that year was 190,647. There are no returns showing the number of days of employ- 1844 ment in the year or the number of hours of each shift. The total output of coal in 1921 was 18,358,934 tons, and the quantity exported out of India was 273,648 tons.
§ Mr. SMITHAre we to understand that there is no information as regards the number of hours worked per day? If that is so, does not the Noble Lord think it time that some information should be obtained in this matter?
§ Earl WINTERTONI shall see if it is possible in a simple form, without involving the Government in great expenditure, to obtain the information asked for.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that there is no legislation restricting the hours of labour in coal mines in India?
§ Earl WINTERTONI shall require notice on that specific point, but there will be a great improvement in the conditions of labour when the Acts to which I have referred in answer to a previous question come into operation. With regard to restrictions of the hours of labour, I am not sure, but I believe that there is a Bill contemplated at the present time.