§ Mr. DUNNICOasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any representations have been received by the Government of India from the Women's Indian Association urging that legislation should be introduced to raise the age of consent for girls to 16 years and reform the law of inheritance concerning Hindu women, with a view to giving widows and daughters a share in the property of a deceased husband or father; and whether any legislation on these lines is con- 556W templated by the Government of India, or whether it is proposed to take no action in this matter?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy Noble Friend has no definite knowledge that the suggestion made in the first part of the question is correct, but has no reason to doubt that the hon. Member is well informed. My Noble Friend is inquiring of the Government of India as to their intention in the matter of legislation on these lines, and will inform the hon. Member in due course.