§ 73. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Prime Minister whether the Government is now considering the importation of coloured 1211 labour from South Africa into this country for building or other constructional work; whether the Government has considered the conditions of their employment in respect of wages and the question of segregation; and whether, before a decision is reached, the House will be given an opportunity of expressing its opinion on the proposal?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertain Departments are now considering this question in all its aspects. With regard to the last part of the question, I think the matter would probably best be dealt with in the Debate on man-power.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the right hon. -Gentleman consult his colleagues as to the desirability of taking elderly men away from their occupation and sending them to the trenches and replacing them with coloured labour?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe whole subject-matter is being considered.
§ Sir E. CARSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman when we may expect to have the Debate on man-power?
§ The PRIME MINISTERVery soon.
§ Mr. W. THORNEWill the right hon. Gentleman prevent any of these men coming over here until the question of manpower is settled, because general information is going about that the men are on their way here now?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that actually coloured men have arrived and are working? Before the arrangements in contemplation by the Government are decided upon, are we to understand that the House will have an opportunity of debating the subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said that I think the Debate might take place when we come to the general question of man-power. This is not an isolated thing.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that a decision will not be taken before the Debate on man-power?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can give no undertaking of that kind. The House will, of course, be able to criticise.