HC Deb 26 February 1936 vol 309 cc436-7
21. Mr. JOHN

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the prices obtained by the planters in the West Indies for sugar in 1929, and for each year since that date; and what was the average rate of wages paid to labourers on sugar plantations in each of those years?

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

As the reply is rather long and contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

No statistics are available showing the average prices actually realised by West Indian sugar producers, but the following are the average world prices of sugar for the years 1929 to 1935:

Per cwt.
s. d.
1929 9 0½
1930 6 7
1931 6 3¾
1932 5 9½
1933 5 3
1934 4 8¾
1935 4 7¾

The price realised for British West Indian sugar may be taken as being about 3s. 9d. per cwt. above the world price up to the budget of 1932 and roughly 5s. above it after that budget owing to the operation of preferential duties.

A statement is appended showing the wages in certain of the principal Colonies

Statement showing Average Rate of Wages paid to labourers on sugar plantations in certain West Indian Colonies and British Guiana during the years, 1929 to 1934.
Colony. 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. 1934.
Barbados. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day.
Men … … 1s. 3d. to 2s 1s. 3d. to 2s. 1s. 3d. to 2s. 1s. 3d. to 2s. 1s. 6d. to 2s. 1s. 6d. to 2s.
Women … 10d. to 1s. 3d. 10d. to 1s. 3d. 10d. to 1s. 3d. 10d. to 1s. 3d. 10d. to 1s. 3d. 10d. to 1s. 3d.
Children … 6d. to 8d. 6d. to 8d. 6d. to 8d. 6d. to 8d. 6d. to 8d. 6d. to 8d.
British Guiana. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day.
Men … … 2s. 2s. 2s. 4d. 1s. 10d. 2s. 4d. 2s. 4d.
Women … 1s. 5d. 1s. 5d. 1s. 4d. 1s. 2d. 1s. 4d. 1s. 4d.
Creoles … 11d. 11d. 6d. to 1s. 6d. to 9d. 8d. to 1s. 8d. to 1s.
Jamaica Per week. Per week. Per week. Per week. Per week. Per week.
Agricultural workers. 18s. 18s. 18s. 18s. 18s. 18s.
Trinidad and Tobago. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day. Per day.
Skilled … $1.20 to $1.20 to $1.20 to $1.20 to $1.20 to $1.20 to
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00
Unskilled … 40 c. to $1.20 40 c. to $1.20 40 c. to $1.20 40 c. to $1.20 40 c. to $1.20 35 c. to 80 c.