HC Deb 23 April 1928 vol 216 cc602-3
5. Mr. JOHNSTON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that 0in the State-owned coal areas at Giridih and Bokaro education for the children of the miners is free and compulsory; and whether these conditions obtain in any coal area in India operated by private concerns?

Earl WINTERTON

The hon. Member probably refers to coal areas worked by Indian railway companies. From such information as I have been able to obtain I understand that it is not the case that in those areas education is free and compulsory.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Has the Noble Lord seen the reports in the bound volumes of proceedings of the Institute of Mining Engineers in India, in which these statements are made?

Earl WINTERTON

No. I do not see any reason why I should do so. I do not read all these documents. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that this particular question of the education of the children employed by the railway companies is the kind of matter which is frequently debated in the Assembly, within whose purview it really falls.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Can the Noble Lord inform the House whether there is any published document supporting his original statement that education is not compulsory in these State-owned coal areas?

Earl WINTERTON

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer, in which I state that from such information as I have been able to obtain I understand that it is not the case that in those areas education is free and compulsory. I am quite willing, on behalf of the hon. Gentleman, to make inquiries, but this is not really a, matter which concerns this House at all.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Is not the hon. Gentleman who put this Question on the Paper under a misapprehension in using the term "state-owned"? These things are not really State-owned at all.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Arising out of the observation of the hon. Gentleman, is it not the case that since the railways became State-owned the properties owned by these railways have also become State-owned?

Earl WINTERTON

All the railways did not become State-owned. Some of them are State-owned. If the hon. Gentleman will write to me privately and state what information he requires, I will obtain the information for him in my private capacity.