§ 1. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information in his possession that still points to the existence of compulsory labour prevailing in any of the States in British India; whether any recent correspondence has taken place between his Department and the durbars of Indian States calling their attention to the articles prescribed in the Slavery Convention of 1926, which was concluded at Geneva; and can he give particulars?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)There is 1420 reason to believe that some compulsory labour is exacted in Indian States, which I would remind my hon. Friend do not form part of British India. The provisions limiting resort to compulsory labour in the Slavery Convention of 1926, which have been accepted on behalf of British India, were brought to the notice of the durbars of Indian States in 1927.