764 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
in the majority of the collieries are now 50 per cent above the pre-war rates ?
(c) Is it a fact that women are allowed to work in coal mines because the required number of men are not available for working in the mines ?
(d) Is it not a fact that amenities for service in collieries are far below the requirements of workers, which forced the men workers to seek service elsewhere for pay and prospect far superior to those of collieries ?
(e) Is it not a fact that women are prohibited from working in collieries and for services underground (i.e., mines other than coal) in the United Kingdom and the United States ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) I have seen press notices to this effect.
(b) I have no precise information regarding the rise in the cost of living in the coalfields compared with pre-war. Foodstuffs are provided for coalminers at concession rates.
(c) Yes.
(d) There is evidence that coalmining labour sought service on military works in the neighbourhood of collieries in preference to working in coalmines. As regards the amenities, I would refer the Honourable Member to part (c) of my reply to his question No. 273 on the 1st March, 1944.
(c) Women are not allowed to work underground in the United Kingdom. Women are, however, employed in some surface work in collieries. I have no information regarding the United States.
Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask whether it is a fact that the price of rice in pre-war days was 12 seers to the rupee and the present price charged in the coal areas for miners is 6 seers to the rupee ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have no precise information on the point.