65. Sir F. HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether British workmen are given preference over aliens in Government offices in Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda, Nyasaland, and the Sudan; and, if not, will he take immediate steps to see that British workmen are employed to the fullest possible extent in all Government Departments?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Dr. Drummond Shiels)I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) on the 9th July, of which I am sending him a copy. I would point out that in the Colonial Dependencies mentioned, appointments for which Europeans are required, other than temporary jobs suited to local residents, are filled by the Secretary of State with British subjects recruited in this country or overseas. Other appointments are filled at present by British subjects or protected persons from India, by Goanese and by natives of Africa; and, in regard 930 to these appointments, the policy is to increase the number of natives employed as circumstances permit. As regards the Sudan, a question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.