§ 41. Major G. POLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any reports from Kavirondo, in Kenya Colony, of the employment of young children in the gangs of labourers called out for the purpose of keeping public roads in order; whether these reports stated that these children work without any limitation of hours and without any pay for their labour; and whether he will consult the governor as to the advisability of making this practice illegal?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Lunn)My Noble Friend has received no such reports, but he will make inquiry of the acting-Governor of Kenya as to the facts. As regards the last part of the question, the power to call out labour for work on roads is limited to able-bodied men, and the employment of children in the place of men so called out is already an offence against the law.