§ 1. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the practice of the Government in India to issue in statistical form information with regard to unemployment, health and education within the Indian Empire?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Richards)It is not the practice to publish statistics of unemployment as this normally does not exist in India, but on the occurrence of a famine statistics showing the number on relief works or in receipt of relief are published in India. Health and education statistics are contained in the Statistical Abstract for British India (Cmd. 2033); education statistics are also contained in the Quinquennial Review of Progress of Education in India; a copy of the eighth issue of this (1917–22) has been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. BAKERWill the hon. Gentleman supply the House with returns showing the present unemployment in India?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI am afraid that that is an almost impossible task.
§ Colonel Sir CHARLES YATEIs it not the case that the demand for labour exceeds the supply?