§ 33. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many inspectors 898 are there in Tanganyika whose duty it is to supervise the wages and the provision of adequate food for native labourers and the recruitment of labourers; and whether such duties are being adequately carried out?
Mr. THOMASThe constant supervision of labour conditions is among the normal duties carried out by the 160 officers engaged in the district administration of Tanganyika. Four administrative officers are seconded for whole-time employment on labour duties, while one permanent appointment of labour officer has been made and others are contemplated. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it not the fact that there are a growing number of complaints about the inadequacy of the food and the shockingly low wages paid to a large proportion of those labourers at the present time; and in view of that does the right hon. Gentleman think that there are really enough inspectors to ensure that these somewhat helpless people shall get their rights?
§ Captain DOWERIs it not true that under British administration the natives of Tanganyika are much better nourished than they were under any previous administration?
§ 34. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many native labourers are engaged in wage-earning occupations in Tanganyika for the last full year for which figures are available; and how many have been secured by recruitment?
Mr. THOMASIt is estimated that in 1934 approximately 250,000 natives were employed as wage earners in Tanganyika of whom about 5 per cent. were recruited.
§ 35. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for the Coloines whether he intends to re-establish the labour department in Tanganyika?
Mr. THOMASI propose to defer consideration of this matter until I have received the observations of the Tanganyika Government on the communication to which I referred at the end of the reply which I gave just now to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn).