4. Mr. CREECH JONESasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the questionnaire sent from the International Labour Office on the question of the recruitment of Colonial labour; and whether he can state His Majesty's Government's policy on this matter?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe questionnaire has been considered, and it is hoped to send the replies to the International Labour Office very shortly. The general effect of the replies to the various questions is that His Majesty's Government are in sympathy with the principles embodied in the questionnaire but that, in applying these principles, it is necessary to have regard to the great diversity of conditions in the various British Dependencies in which labourers are recruited. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that to a great extent the proposals in the questionnaire reflect the 1927 measures already in operation in the British Dependencies concerned.