§ Mr. FERENSasked the Under-Secretary for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that a large number of European and Japanese women are imported into India for immoral purposes; whether the International Convention against the white slave traffic has been adopted by the Indian Government; and whether the Indian law is adequate to carry out that Convention?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERA Bill to suppress the importation of foreign women into India has been introduced in the Imperial Legislative Council by an unofficial member and has been referred for opinion to local governments. The Secretary of State has also consulted the Government of India as to whether India should adhere to the International Convention. At present he is not in a position to say whether the Indian law is adequate to carry it out.
§ Mr. FERENSalso asked whether there is in India a considerable traffic in native girls for immoral purposes; whether the existing laws are adequate to suppress it; and, if not, what measures the Indian Government propose to take?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERTraffic in young girls exists to a varying extent in different parts of India. It is closely connected1010W with the social and religious usages of the population, and there is no clear evidence that it is an increasing evil. The question of strengthening the penal provisions of the law is at present under inquiry in connection with a Bill introduced in the Imperial Legislative Council by an unofficial member.