Questions and Answers - Page 913

892 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

(c) The Indian Mines Act lays down the primary requirements regarding sanitary and health provisions ; and the Mines Inspectorate see that they are properly observed.

(d) I shall consider the suggestion.

Shrimati K. Radhu Bai Subbarayan : Since the coal situation is very grave may I ask Government if they will appoint a Committee of Experts, Medical Health and Engineering, to go into the questions mentioned in (c) ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : We have already appointed a Coal Mines Welfare Committee by whom all these questions are considered.

Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask what proportion of miners are housed in the houses provided in the mining areas ?

The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am afraid I must have notice of that question.

Mr. N. M. Joshi : The Honourable Member has made a wrong statement.

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*** Restoration of Ban on Women** Working Underground in Mines

  1. Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state :

(a) if Government have seen the recent report of questions and answers in the House of Commons regarding women working underground in mines ; and, if so, whether and when Government supplied Mr. Amery with the information that he stated he had called for, and what that information is ;

(b) when Government will conclude the consideration of the question of restoring the ban on employment of women underground in mines;

(c) what steps Government have taken to prevent such hardships to women ; “are low but compare favourably with the pay in other industries in India” is based on facts ; and