82. Mr. FRED HALLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any action has been taken to secure the observance of fair conditions of labour by Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, in regard to natives employed by them in connection with their concession in Sierra Leone; and if he will obtain a Report from the Governor of the Colony on the subject?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)Messrs. Lever Brothers will be in exactly the same position as any other employer. Their arrangements with any natives employed by them must be in accordance with the general law of the Colony as to master and servant.
Mr. FRED HALLIs it not the fact that the factories on the estates of this firm are 990 the only possible employment in the neighbourhood, and whether under the circumstances Messrs. Lever are in a position to dictate their own terms?
§ Mr. HARCOURTThe arrangements can only be made in conformity with the laws of the Colony.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWould the right hon. Gentleman advise the natives to form a trade union to protect their interests?
83. Mr. FRED HALLasked if the right hon. Gentleman will place upon the Table a complete copy of the correspondence and particulars of any verbal negotiations which have passed between the Colonial Office, Messrs. Lever Brothers, Limited, and the Governor of the Colony affected with regard to the granting of certain trading concessions in West Africa to the firm named?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI have already laid all the material correspondence. The purport of the verbal discussions is fully shown by the written communications which preceded and followed them.