§ 57. Mr. AMMONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the system in Kenya Colony of registration of coloured domestic servants by finger prints, the Government will advise the Administration of the Colony that the finger-print impression should be taken by a department other than the police?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe existing finger-print work in connection with the registration of natives in Kenya is carried out by a branch of the Native Affairs Department and not by the police, but until I have learnt what is likely to be proposed by the Select Committee in regard to the Registration of Domestic Servants Bill, any further reply must be hypothetical.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI do not think it operates in Tanganyika.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe conditions are somewhat different. There are very many more domestic servants in Kenya and many more employers, and it is only in recent years that the dangers we wish to guard against have come to light, such as people using fraudulently what are called "chits" that do not belong to them.
§ Colonel DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman say approximately the numbers that have been mentioned two or three times?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI shall have to have notice of that question.
§ Mr. AMMONWill the right hon. Gentleman say what is the real difference which causes this varying treatment in different Colonies? Is it not because there is more enlightened administration in Tanganyika than in Kenya?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, the conditions are quite different. Taking finger prints for registration of workers who go out of the reserves has been in operation for many years, and there has never been a suggestion until this moment of any criminal connection.
§ Mr. HANNONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the South American Republics all foreigners living there, no matter how respectable, have their finger prints on their identity papers?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI believe that is so.