§ Mr. SCURRasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of India to ratify the proposals of the International Labour Convention of Washington concerning maternity benefits?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThe answer is in the negative. The Washington Conference of 1919 resolved that the Indian Government should be requested to make a study of the question of the employment of women before and after confinement, and of maternity benefits, and to report on these matters. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Report of the Government of India.
§ Mr. SCURRasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the mortality rate for children under one year and under five years for each of the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, and 1923 in Bombay?
§ Mr. RICHARDSThe following are the figures for 1919 and 1920:
Ratio of deaths per 1,000 of population in Bombay Presidency according to age. Year. Under 1 year. 1 year and under 5 years. Males. Females. Males. Females. 1919 … 206.70 196.73 56.48 55.32 1920 … 191.42 174.26 45.60 43.20 The figures for 1921, 1922 and 1923 are not yet available.
§ Mr. SCURRasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his atten- 1772W tion has been called to the Report of the lady doctor appointed by the Government of Bombay to the effect that 98 per cent. of the children born in the industrial area in Bombay are drugged with opium; and what steps the Government of Bombay proposes to take to deal with this evil?
§ Mr. RICHARDSI have seen the Report referred to. I am not aware of the action taken by the Government of Bombay, but will inquire.