§ 1. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether forced labour, of the kind against which the Convention in regard to forced labour was directed, is resorted to in India; and, if so, whether he will give the particulars?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)Forced labour of the kind to which the Convention was directed appears to survive only in parts of the Madras Presidency and of Bihar and Orissa. It is not countenanced by the Courts, and in both Provinces progressive steps are being taken to eradicate it. The form it takes is that of labourers leasing themselves to landlords in return for loans of money.