HC Deb 13 March 2000 vol 346 cc43-4W
Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Indian Government's response to the concerns the Minister of State raised on the issue of bonded labour during his visit in November. [113588]

Mr. Hain

We continue to raise the issue of bonded labour with the Indian Government and the Indian Human Rights Commission, both nationally and at state level.

Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received (1) on the release of bonded labourers from the villages of Kili-Nahal-Singh-Wala and Buraj Mehma in Punjab State, India; and what prosecutions were initiated against landlords in respect of bonded labourers; [113590]

(2) regarding the attempted abduction of bonded labourers from the human rights organisation, Volunteers for Social Justice, on 7 February; and what reports he has received on the action that has been taken by the Indian authorities to bring to justice the instigators of this attack and ensure the safety of human rights workers at Volunteers for Social Justice. [113589]

Mr. Hain

We are aware of these cases. Our High Commission in New Delhi has written about them to the Chair of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission and has also raised them with the Indian National Human Rights Commission.