Vol. 10 · pages 956–960

935 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If I find time, I will. Mr. Badri Dutt Pande : How did the Honourable Member say in reply to my supplementary question that the question does not arise of placing a statement of accounts on the table of the House when it is definitely stated in the question that a statement of accounts should be so laid showing how the amount was spent ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have not been able to follow the question. Mr. Badri Dutt Pande : You said just now that the question of laying a statement of the accounts on the table does not arise, but that is a definite part of the question as stated in part (b). The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am sorry. Such information as I have I will lay on the table of the House. 348 * Authority for Appointment of Mica Enquiry Committees 1801. Mr. Ram Narayan Singh : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state whether, according to the 7th Schedule of the Provincial Legislative List, item 27 to the Government of India Act, 1935, Mica Industry is a provincial subject ? If so, is the formation of the present Mica Enquiry Committee by the Government of India within their powers under the Act ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to Mr. Satya Narayan Sinha’s short notice question on the same subject on the 20th of November, 1944. Mr. Ram Narayan Singh : May I ask whether this is an encroachment by the Government of India on the rights of the Provincial Governments ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : As I said, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 9th April, 1945, p. 2631.

936 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 349 * British-American Mica Mission 1802. Mr. Ram Narayan Singh : (a) Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state at whose instance the present joint British American Mica Mission was instituted ? (b) What is the respective strength of the British and American representatives on the said Mission ? (c) What are the purposes and functions of the Mission ? (d) Is it only a ware measure or is the Mission to permanently continue even after the war ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The Joint Mica Mission was set up as a result of discussions between the Government of India and His Majesty’s Government, and through His Majesty’s Government with the Government of the United States of America. (b) Three British and three United States of America representatives. (c) The Mission under instructions from their principals, are responsible for purchasing, inspecting, accepting, paying for and despatching all mica required by the United Nations. (d) It is only a war measure. Mr. Ram Narayan Singh : May I ask why the Government of India or the Mica industry have not been represented on the Mission ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : It is unnecessary; it is only a purchasing Mission. Mr. N. M. Joshi : May I ask whether it is a fact that the mica is sold in America for a much higher price than the price paid to the mica owners in India and if there is a profit—and a large profit—, who takes that profit ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I must have notice of the question. 350 @ Candidates from Hindu Backward Classes appointed as Labour Officers, etc. 1803. Mr. M. Ghiasuddin : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state if any labour Officer, Labour Inspector, * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 9th April 1945, p. 2799. @ Ibid., p. 2799.

937 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Labour Legal Adviser and Labour Welfare Society Officer has been appointed from amongst suitable candidates belonging to the Hindu backward classes, such as Ahirs, Gadariyas, Tcli, Tambolics, Kahars, Lohars, Barhais and Kumhars, who are hereditary occupational and artisan classes and who number sixteen to seventeen crorcs in the country ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : From information readily available, it appears that no officer from such particular classes has been appointed. 351 * Facilities to Candidates from Hindu Backward Classes under Bevin and Other Technical Schemes 1804. Mr. M. Ghiasuddin : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to grant official facilities to the candidates of the backward classes such as Lohars, Barhais, Gadariyas, Kumhars and Kolies, who are hereditary occupational and artisan classes in the Bevin Trainees Scheme and such other technical schemes as are being formulated every now and then ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Government have already taken special steps to help recruitment of backward classes (Scheduled Castes, etc.) in the Bevin Training Scheme. The National Service Labour Tribunals which make the selections have been directed to follow the orders in force in the different Provinces with regard to communal representation and to see that the various communities and classes are adequately represented. In addition Tribunals have been asked to associate with them a non-official of influence belonging to the Scheduled Caste and if necessary, a Muslim to guide them in determining the adequate representation of Scheduled Caste and other backward class candidates. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 9th April 1945, p. 2619.

938 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES 352 * Hindu Backward Classes Representative on Provincial National Labour Service Tribunal 1805. Mr. M. Ghiasuddin : Will the Honourable the Labour Member be pleased to state if Hindu backward classes have any representative on the Provincial National Labour Service Tribunal ? If not, why not ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Government of India are not aware if there are members of the Hindu Backward Classes on the National Service Labour Tribunals. Representation on the Tribunals on a communal basis is neither necessary nor practicable. 353 @ Summary of Proceedings of the Fifth Meeting of the Standing Labour Committee The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): I lay on the table a copy of the Summary # of Proceedings of the fifth meeting of the Standing Labour Committee held at New Delhi on the 27th June, 1944. 354 † Summary of Proceedings of the Sixth Labour Conference The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : I lay on the table a copy of the Summary# of Proceedings of the Sixth Labour Conference held at New Delhi on the 27th and 28th October, 1944. * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. IV of 1945, 20th November 1945, p. 1001. @ Ibid., Vol. I, 21st January 1946, p. 61. # Not printed in these debates, but copies have been placed in the Library of the House. † Ibid., Vol. I, 21st January 1946, p. 61.

939 L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 355 * Summary of Proceedings of the Sixth Meeting of the Standing Labour Committee The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : I lay on the table a copy of the Summary@ of Proceedings of the sixth meeting of the Standing Labour Committee at New Delhi on the 17th March, 1945. Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar (Madras ceded District and Chittcr : Non-Muhammadan Rural): On a point of information. May I know why it has taken so long to these papers which were ready on the 27th of June, 1944 and on the 27th and 28th of October, 1944 on the table of the House ? Why were they not placed in the last Assembly Session ? The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I cannot give an answer, but I will look into the matter. 356 # Indian Mines (Amendment) Bill The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member) : Sir, I move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Indian Mines Act, 1923. Mr. President : The question is “That leave be granted to introduce a Bill further to amend the Indian Mines Act, 1923.” The motion was adopted. The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Sir, I introduce the Bill. 357 † Inadequate Accommodation for Government Servant 24. Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state— (a) the number of clerks and assistants in Government Departments who have applied for quarters but have not yet been allotted accommodation in New Delhi; * Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1946, 21st January 1946. @ Not printed in these debates, but copies have been placed in the Library of the House. # Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1946, 30th January 1946, p. 247. † Ibid., 5th February 1946, p. 477.