HC Deb 10 March 1931 vol 249 cc986-7
16. Mr. PRICE (for Mr. HAYCOCK)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the labour employed in the manganese mines in Burma is supplied by the criminal tribes settlement, he will take steps to prohibit the importation of manganese produced by such labour?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I understand that labour of the kind in question is in no sense prison or convict labour. In any event there is no power under existing legislation to take the course suggested, and, as I have said on many occasions in this House, His Majesty's Government are not prepared to seek such powers.

Mr. MILLS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of this native labour recruited for this particular work have to have their finger prints taken and are engaged under conditions which demand an inquiry by his Department?

Mr. GRAHAM

I understand that this labour is in an exceptional position, but my information is that it is in no sense convict labour and does not come within the Foreign (Prison Made) Goods Act, 1907, which bears upon a problem, of this kind.