§ MR. H. SAMUELSONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any proclamation has been issued in Cyprus requiring enforced labour?
§ MR. BOURKEAn Ordinance, not a Proclamation, has been enacted by the Legislative Council in Cyprus, laying down the Regulations under which villages and districts may in future be required to furnish labour for making roads and other public works. This Ordinance modifies the law heretofore existing in Cyprus, under which villages and districts were required to furnish labour for roads and public works without remuneration. The Ordinance which has just been passed permits persons to provide substitutes, and also provides for the remuneration of labourers, as well as for the remuneration of those whose vehicles are used.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI wish to ask the hon. Gentleman whether the Ordinance is an Ordinance for enforced labour —whether it is for compulsory labour 1026 or not; and also whether the Government will lay the Ordinance on the Table of the House or not?
§ MR. BOURKEThere will be no objection to make the Ordinance known, of course. If, however, this Ordinance is laid on the Table of the House, it will be right to lay on the Table all the other Ordinances; and if any hon. Member wishes to ask me that Question, I shall be very happy to answer it. I should think it will answer all useful purposes if the Ordinances are placed in the Library of the House. The course proposed has not been adopted with regard to the Ordinances of any other Possession which Her Majesty administers. The pre-existing law of Cyprus was that districts could be called upon to supply labour. The right hon. Gentleman may call that enforced labour if he pleases. I have no objection to the word. I dare say it is; but, whether forced labour or not, the present Ordinance which has just been passed enables the authorities in Cyprus to call upon districts and villages to supply labour and substitutes for public purposes—that, is for making roads and works of public utility. Substitutes may be given if persons do not choose to labour; and in all cases the labour is paid for. I may also mention that all vehicles and horses called for will also be paid for. The Ordinance is really a modification of the law which has existed for many years.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERPerhaps I may be excused for saying that this is the first time within my recollection that we have had to ask Questions about enforced labour in any of our Colonies. Therefore, I will again ask the hon. Gentleman, Whether the Ordinance will be placed on the Table of the House, so that we may see the terms of it as soon as possible?
§ MR. BOURKEIf there is any strong feeling on that part of the House, I have not the slightest objection to lay the Ordinance on the Table; but it would be inconvenient to lay one or two Ordinances on the Table and not to place all of them there.
§ MR. H. SAMUELSONI beg to give Notice that in consequence of the answer of the hon. Gentleman the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I shall move that the Ordinance be placed on the Table of the House.