§ 13. Mr. PENNYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the labour supply of plantations in the vicinity of the Singapore naval base is being greatly depleted owing to Government competition; and whether he is prepared to adopt the suggestion of the Planters' Association of Malaya that the Imperial Government should recruit its own labour for the new naval base or utilise the local Government's recruiting officer to obtain labour from India?
Mr. DAVIDSONI have been in telegraphic communication with Singapore on this matter, and am advised that the present needs for labour at the naval base are not enough to have any great effect on the general labour position in the Colony, where the present prosperity of the rubber and tin industries is creating large demands for employment. Our officers on the spot are working in association with the officers of the local Government in this matter, and will continue to do so.
§ Mr. PENNYWill the hon. Gentleman keep in mind that the labour for the purpose they require is best recruited from the Northern Provinces of India as against the Southern?
§ Mr. PALINGDoes that mean that the rubber growers' new demand for labour is sending up wages?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs there an arrangement between the local contractors, who are acting for the Admiralty, and the planters, not to pay wages higher than the local wage rates?