§ 36. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs how many men are now doing compulsory labour in Kenya Colony: whether these include any Indians or Europeans; what is the general period of service; what is the rate of pay; and are they all employed on railway construction, or what other form of compulsory labour is involved?
§ Mr. AMERYAs shown in the Paper, Cmd. 2464, just published, 1,587 compelled men were at work in May, the latest month for which I have a return. They were employed solely on railway construction or railway relaying, ballasting, or regrading. No non-natives are so compelled. I presume that the term is normally the maximum permitted by the Ordinance, 60 days. The rates of pay are shown in the Paper, namely, 14s. a month on the Uasin Gishu and Thika-Nyeri lines and 18s. a month on the main line, with rations in each case.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether a rise in the rate of pay would not obviate the necessity of compulsory labour?
§ Mr. AMERYPerhaps I had better have notice of that question. In answer to the right hon. Gentleman, I will look into the matter.
§ Mr. HARRISIs not this a form of slavery?