HC Deb 16 December 1943 vol 395 cc1665-6
19. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the wages paid to Indian seamen employed on British-owned ships are approximately only one-fourth of that paid to Britishers employed on the same vessels and that the cubic space allowed to Indian seamen on those ships is approximately one-half that allowed to the rest of the crew; and will he take steps to remedy these anomalies?

Mr. Amery

If the comparison is between the wages of the ordinary Indian seaman and the fully-qualified European A.B. or efficient deckhand the position is as stated by the hon. Member. But the Indian does not do the same amount of work and there is accordingly a great disparity in the numbers that have to be employed. As regards accommodation, it is true that the minimum cubic space required by the Merchant Shipping Acts to be provided in the accommodation for Indian seamen is much less than that required for European crews. But in practice the space provided for Indian seamen on ships built in recent years has almost invariably been not less than the statutory minimum required for European crews. As I informed the hon. Member on 2nd December, the position regarding the conditions of employment of Indian seamen is at present under active consideration by the Government of India.

Mr. Davies

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest in his answer that one European can do the work of four Indians, and really cannot he take some action to bring these disgraceful conditions to an end?

Mr. Amery

No, Sir, I certainly would not go as far as that. As I say, the problem of improving these conditions is at the moment being actively considered by the Government of India.

Mr. Sorensen

Is it the implication that one Indian breathes only one-quarter of the air that one Englishman breathes? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that conditions have been bad for some time, and why has not action been taken before?

Mr. Amery

No, Sir. If the hon. Member would do a little calculation, he would find that 72 is rather more than a quarter of 120.