Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for India (1) what official reports have been made by factory inspectors or medical officers as to the industrial conditions existing in the Birla cotton mills and other industrial establishments in the Bombay area; and what satisfies he has as to the accident or diseases rates or incidence, with especial reference to the occurrence and development of industrial lung disease amongst the cotton or pottery workers;
(2) whether any information or statistics are available of the extent or occurrence of industrial diseases in industrial 220W establishments in British India; and any figures as to the amount paid out annually in workmen's compensation for such conditions;
(3) whether industrial lung diseases due to the inhalation of dust are included in special industrial compensation schemes in India and, especially whether byssinosis is a compensatable disease amongst the cotton or textile workers in the cotton mills and establishments in India; and whether any statistical or other industrial disease information is available as to the morbidity or mortality rate in the Indian cotton industry?
§ Mr. AmeryI regret I have no information, but I am sending the Questions to the Government of India with a request that they will furnish such information as may be available, and will communicate with the hon. Member on receipt of their reply.