§ 1. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Undersecretary of State for India whether he is aware that the system of deductions from wages and fines for the enforcement of discipline in mills and factories in India is liable to grave abuse, and that the employé has no effective remedy if he is fined unjustly or excessively; whether he will state in general terms the character of the Reports which have been received by the Government; and whether he will indicate, if possible, what action it is proposed to take?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)With regard to the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 21st March. As regards the second part, my Noble Friend has recent information that the Government of India have received the replies to their letter of 25th June, 1926, except those from two important local governments, which were awaited, and that they intended to consider the question fully when the replies were complete. Pending this, I am unable to indicate the tenor of the replies or what action will he proposed.