HC Deb 27 March 1911 vol 23 c1106W
Mr. JOHN WARD

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he has any information as to the prospects of the proposed hew factory law being passed; whether the proposals of the Indian Government as to a legal reduction of working hours in factories are being surrendered by an agreement between the Government and the Indian mill owners; and, if so, will the Secretary of State, in view of the unorganised condition of the Indian factory workers, make representations to the Government of India upon the subject?

Mr. MONTAGU

The Bill was passed into law last week. It retains the original provisions whereby the employment of male adults in textile factories is limited to twelve hours and that of children to-six hours. There was at no time any compact or agreement between the Government of India and the Indian mill-owners. Proposals were made in the Legislative Council by representatives of the Calcutta mills for securing equivalent limitation of hours in another way. These on examination were not considered satisfactory by the Government and were not accepted.

Mr. JOHN WARD

asked what are the legal hours of labour in factories and workshops in India at present; and what are the reductions in hours proposed by the Indian Government in their Bill now before the Indian Council?

Mr. MONTAGU

Under the present law the employment of women is limited to eleven hours, and of children to seven hours. There is no legal limitation as regards male adults. The Act passed last week fixes a 12-hours working day for male adults, 11 hours for women, and 6 hours for children when employed in textile factories. As regards factories other than textile factories the provisions of the present law as regards legal hours of employment have been substantially retained. The limits between which women and children may be employed have been narrowed from 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 5.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. They have, moreover, been made applicable to women working under a shift system, but not to women in cotton ginning and cotton pressing factories, which only work for a few months in the year.