§ 6. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for India what action is proposed for the purpose of dealing with the labour conditions as disclosed in the recent report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India; and whether the conditions and recommendations, as disclosed in the Commission's report, will be matters for discussion at the forthcoming Round Table Conference?
§ 7. Mr. WELLOCKasked the Secretary of State for India what steps the Government of India proposes to take with a view to securing the application of the recommendations of the Whitley Commission on Labour?
§ Mr. BENNThose portions of the report which deal with constitutional questions will no doubt be taken into consideration at the resumed Round Table Conference. For the rest, the Government of India will no doubt take into early consideration the numerous recommendations of the Commission and inform me in due course of the action which they propose to take.
§ Mr. DAYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the revelations in this report call for immediate remedial action?
§ Mr. BENNYes, I am in hopes that we shall soon get to work to implement some of the resolutions, but it is a matter primarily for the Government of India.
§ Mr. BENNThere has hardly been time to consider fully the report. It has only been published about a fortnight.
Earl WINTERTONWhen the right hon. Gentleman speaks of the Government of India, is it not a fact that a great many of these matters fall within the purview of the provincial governments as they are transferred subjects?
§ Mr. BENNThe Noble Lord is quite right, but I should expect to get the recommendations, after consultation, through the Government of India.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYIs it not the case that, although they are transferred subjects, Indian Ministers cannot implement the recommendations without finance, which is not a transferred subject?
§ Mr. REMERHas the right hon. Gentleman sent a report to the Bombay millowners and others who are particularly concerned?