§ Mr. SCURRasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the average daily wage paid to the male and female workers in the Assam tea plantations; and what is the reason for the exodus of labourers which has taken place of late?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe statistics show the monthly average cash wages (excluding 655W diet rations and subsistence allowance) calculated (a) on the basis of the total number on the books, and (b) on that of the average daily working strength, as follows:
The reasons of the exodus in 1924 of certain labourers who had been recently recruited from Madras are fully discussed in a Report by the Labour Commission to the Government of Madras, a copy of which will be sent to the hon. Member if he so desires. The discontented labourers were repatriated.
Assam Valley Division, 1924–1925. (a) (b) Rs. as. p. Rs. as. p. Men 8 13 3 11 7 0 Women 7 0 7 10 0 5 Sarma Valley Division, 1924–1925. (a) (b) Rs. as. p. Rs. as. p. Men 7 4 5 9 4 9 Women 5 9 2 7 9 1