HC Deb 16 August 1909 vol 9 cc943-4
Sir GILBERT PARKER

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether women and girls were being recruited in the New Hebrides for labour outside the islands; and what were the regulations of the French and the British Governments respectively concerning the recruiting of women and girls from these islands?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, so far as British recruiting is concerned. In regard to French recruiting I may refer the hon. Member to the instructions printed on pages 18–22 of Cd. 3876, from which he will see that the French Government have forbidden women and children to be taken out of the Group, with the exception of those who may accompany the head of the family. In reply to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I have to refer him to the answer which I gave last Tuesday to the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for St. Andrew's Burghs.

Mr. JOHN WARD

Could we have published for the information of the House a copy of the licence?

Colonel SEELY

Yes, Sir. I think there will be no difficulty in doing that. I am not quite sure that it has not already appeared in the Papers presented to the House, but if that is not the case I shall be happy to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies to comply with the hon. Member's request.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

Is it not the case that the French Government has instructed its new Commissioner in the New Hebrides to insert in every licence a provision that no women and children shall be recruited for work outside the islands? Will the hon. and gallant Member also communicate with the British Commissioner there asking him to inquire whether it is not the case that the French are recruiting, in spite of the regulations, women and children for work outside the islands?

Colonel SEELY

I understand it is impossible under the regulations for women to be recruited for service outside the islands, except in the case of women who accompany the head of the family. That, of course, is under the French regulations. If the hon. Member has any information that these regulations are not being observed perhaps he will communicate with me, and I will put the matter before the Secretary of State for the Colonies.