L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 969
their distribution in individual industries including collieries and plantations since 1939 upto date year by year.
(b) What are the monthly earnings of the factory workers in India in different industries since 1939 up to date, year by year, exclusive of dearness allowance and bonus ?
(c) What are the figures of dearness allowance and bonus paid to industrial workers in India since 1939 up to date, year by year, according to (i) different industries and (ii) different industrial centres?
(d) Will he please illustrate the effect if any, of war time increase in earnings of industrial workers on the total membership of trade unions and their monetary funds either way?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) A statement is placed on the table. Statistics for 1945 are not yet available.
(b) A statement showing the figures of monthly average earnings of factory workers during 1939, 1940, 1941 and
1943 is placed on the table. These are inclusive of dearness allowances paid in cash, figures exclusive of these not being available. The figures are only approximate is they are compiled from statistics of total payments made and do not allow for factors like number of working days in the year, number of working hours etc.
Figures of 1942 are not furnished as it is not clear which of the figures available are inclusive of dearness allowances and which are not.
(c) Full information is not available and Government do not consider that the time needed for collecting and tabulating this will be commensurate with the result.
(d) Figures of average earnings of factory workers have been furnished in connection with part (a) of this Question. Statements showing the membership and general funds of trade unions are placed on the table. Government are not in a position to say whether the increase in membership and in the income is attributable to increased wages or to other causes.