HC Deb 05 March 1941 vol 369 cc918-9
56. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will institute an inquiry into the conditions of Indian workers in this country; whether he is aware of the undesirable arrangement by which Indian seamen and others are accommodated in cheap boarding-houses; and whether he will take action to prevent the exploitation of Indian workers and the operation of unfair colour prejudice in this country?

The Additional Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Tomlinson)

My right hon. Friend has set up a Seaman's Welfare Board, which is actively assisting in arrangements for improving the accommodation and the welfare generally of seamen in the ports, including Indian seamen. I am not aware that there is exploitation of Indian workers in this country, and, so far as my Department is concerned, there is no colour prejudice in relation to their employment. If the hon. Member will send me particulars of any cases he has in mind, I will make inquiries.

Mr. Sorensen

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his Reply, may I ask whether his Department have investigated the conditions under which seamen in the East of London are farmed out in boarding houses at substantial profit for a very poor accommodation?

Mr. Tomlinson

Inquiry is going on all the time.