§ 13. Mr. BROCKWAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the form of forced labour covered by the Slavery Convention of 1926 is restricted to forced labour for private profit, he will say for what purpose forced labour is being exacted from the peasants in the Balasinor State, Rajputana?
§ Mr. BENNMy attention has now been drawn to a statement in the Press that the Nawab of Balasinor, a State in the Bombay Presidency, proposes shortly to abolish all forced labour in his State following representations from some of his subjects. The forced labour was, I gather, exacted by the State authorities, but I do not know for what purpose.
Earl WINTERTONIs it not a fact that the constitutional position of His Majesty's Government in regard to these matters is at least very doubtful, and that it would be very difficult to enforce the abolition of forced labour?
§ Mr. BENNThere is no question of enforcement. We can offer friendly advice, and it is often effective.