HC Deb 04 November 1908 vol 195 cc1204-5
MR. E. H. LAMB (Rochester)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, between January, 1906, the date of the last General Election, and January, 1907, when the maximum number of Chinese working in the South African mines was reached the number of whites employed had decreased; and whether, since the reduction of nearly 40,000 Chinese, the number of whites employed has increased.

COLONEL SEELY

In January, 1906, the number of whites working on the Rand was 17,696; in January, 1907, the number was 17,198. In August last it was 17,989. In September there was a further decrease of Chinese and increase of whites, but I cannot yet give the exact figures for that month.

MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshire, N. W.)

asked whether between January, 1906, and the present time there had not been a large increase in coloured labour?

COLONEL SEELY

Yes, a very large increase indeed, and contrary to the expectations entertained by hon. Members opposite.

MR. FELL

Have not a considerable number of new mines also been opened up?

COLONEL SEELY

Yes, I am glad to say that is the case.