CHAPTER XXIV. 
published after a delay which diminishes their utility. We recognise the 
difficulty where provincial statistics have to be co-ordinated and recom- 
mend that an examination be made of the causes of dealy with a view 
%0 devising a method which will ensure more prompt publication. 
Mines Statistics. 
In respect of mines a full annual report is prepared by the Chief 
Inspector of Mines and published by the Government of India. The 
report and the statistics which accompany it deal both with production 
and with labour and the particular feature of both parts of the publica- 
tion is the attention given to accidents and their causes. The statis- 
tical information, which in respect of labour gives particulars similar to 
bhoke supplied by the factories returns, is compiled from returns statu- 
torily required under the Coal Mines Regulations and the Metalliferous 
Mines Regulations issued in 1926. Under the Mining Regulations parti- 
culars have also to be furnished regarding earnings and the Chief 
Inspector of Mines publishes statistics based on these returns. As in 
bhe case of factories, it is desirable that figures if possible should be 
obtained annually which would give some indication of the total number 
of persons employed in the coal mines. Such figures would be particularly 
aseful where there is a great difference between this number and the 
average number employed. We recommend that the question of secur- 
ing such figures be examined. As we have already indicated, the 
present statistics, particularly in respect of coal mines, give no indication 
of the total number of persons employed wholly or part-time. 
Plantation Statistics. 
In respect of plantations, the issue of periodical official inform- 
ation is virtually confined to Assam. Published returns are prepared 
annually by the Commissioners of the two divisions of Assam ; these 
give a review of conditions relating to immigrant labour during the year, 
and they are accompanied by statistics of emigration of the labour popu- 
lation, mortality among labourers, average earnings, complaints, in- 
spections and other matters. These statistics, including those relating 
bo earnings, are based on statutory returns which employers are required 
bo submit by rules made under the Assam Labour and Emigration Act. 
Particulars of emigration to Assam under that Act, are also published an- 
nually by other provincial Governments, but there are no regular statistics 
for plantations in other provinces. As regards Assam, particulars might 
be given of the number of labourers employed who do not live on the 
gardens, and the vital statistics given in the annual report should 
include both births and deaths. A start should also be made with the 
collection of statistics relating to plantations in other provinces and parti- 
cularly ip Bengal, Madras, Coorg and Burma. We recommend the adoption 
of statutes requiring planters to furnish statistics relating to the labour 
forces employed by them. To begin with, these might be confined to 
the numbers of men, women and children employed, births, deaths 
and earnings.