§ MR. SUMMERBELLI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that indentured labourers from the East Indies to the Trinidad cocoa plantations in many 634 cases are paid only 3s. per week instead of 5s. 2½d. per week, as guaranteed to them before leaving home; that such labourers are unable to obtain redress; and, if so, will he take action with a view to the men receiving the wage stipulated at the time of their engagement.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI venture to think that the hon. Member has been misinformed as to the figures. My information goes to show that indentured immigrants are promised a daily wage of 1s. 0½d. a day, six days a week, and that the Immigration Ordinance provides for payment of wages at not less than this rate on every day on which the labourer is willing and able to work. If the hon. Member can give me any specific cases of breach of the Ordinance I shall be happy to have inquiry made.
§ MR. SUMMERBELLI shall have great pleasure in providing the information.