§ SIR THOMAS DEWARTo ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the remarks made at a recent meeting of the British South Africa Company in regard to the importation of coloured labour to supplement the deficiency of local labour in Southern Rhodesia; and will he state whether the Government will facilitate the supply of such indentured Asiatic labour as may be required.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain.) I have seen the remarks referred to. The Indian Government have felt compelled to express their inability to consent to the proposal made by the Government of Southern Rhodesia for various reasons. One reason they give is that the demand for Indian underground labour is at present greater than the supply.