3 and 4. Mr. TOMSMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether, in view of the profits now being made by coal companies in India, he will say if anything is being done to improve the standard of life of Indian mine-workers and to prohibit the employment of women and young children underground;
(2) whether the hours of labour of underground mine workers in India are regulated by Statute; and, if so, will he state what they are for men, women, and children, respectively?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe conditions of work in Indian mines will be greatly improved by the recent Indian Mines Act and the Indian Workmen's Compensation Act. The Mines Act prohibits the employment in mines of children under 13, limits the hours of underground work for all adults to 54 hours in any one week, and empowers the Government of India to prohibit, restrict or regulate the employment of women either underground or on labour of a dangerous kind.
Mr. SMITHIs the Noble Lord aware that some of these coal companies are declaring dividends as high as 165 per cent., and that the Government of India have circularised the local Governments in regard to the abolition of women labour from underground works at the end of five years, from 1st June, next; and does he not think that, in view of the exceptional profits which are being made, it is a scandal to employ women underground in coal mines to-day?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not See what bearing the dividends of the companies have on the question. I think the situation is this—and I am very glad to have the opportunty of telling the hon. Gentle- 1001 man and his colleagues—that admittedly industrial conditions in India are inferior to those in this country, but they are probably far superior to those in any other Asiatic country. There has been a great improvement in recent years. India has more than carried out all her obligations under the International Labour Convention, and the legislation which is about to come into effect will mean a much greater further improvement.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHow does the Noble Lord reconcile his statement that India has carried out her obligations under the Washington Convention with the statement that the new Regulations will permit mine workers to work 54 hours per week, when it is recognised that 48 hours' work per week is general?
§ Earl WINTERTONI will answer that in a moment. The Convention in question laid down for India a maximum of 60 hours per week, and our legislation is making it only 54 hours.