§ 25. Mr. SNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any further quota of the 4,000 conscripted labourers in Kenya Colony has yet been called out; and, if so, what is the total to date recruited by forcible measures since the permission of the Government to conscript labour for railway construction?
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The total number recruited was 3,094. It was decided in July that there should be no further recruiting, and all the men had returned to their homes before the 13th of August.
§ Mr. AMERYYes, Sir. It was only because there was not enough voluntary labour forthcoming for this urgent work that we took steps to conscript labour.
§ Mr. W. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman state the number of hours these conscripted labourers work and the rate of pay they receive?
§ Mr. AMERYI think there is another question on the Order Paper on the rate of pay, and I will inquire as to the question of hours if the hon. Member will put down a question.
§ Mr. LANSBURYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman what is the difference between conscription and slavery?
§ 26. Mr. SNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the rate of pay to the conscripted labourers in Kenya Colony for railway construction; and how this compares with the market rate of wages?
§ Mr. AMERYI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 4th August to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme and to Cmd. Paper 2464. The conditions laid down for the employment of compulsory labour provide that the wages should not be less than those of voluntary labourers by more than 2s. a month.