26. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make any statement on the reasons for the non-ratification by the Union of South Africa of the International Labour Office Convention on the Recruitment of Native Labour; and whether any communications have passed on this subject between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Union?
The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Marquess of Harting-ton)No communications in the matter have passed between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa, but the Union Government informed the High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protec-
§ Captain CrookshankAs the reply involves a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the information:
§ torate and Swaziland in October last that they had decided not to ratify the Convention as it was not practicable to apply Article 20 of the draft Convention to the Union.
Mr. Creech JonesIn view of the Union Government's policy in these British Territories, will the Minister consider whether further representations cannot be made to the Union Government on this matter?
§ Mr. PalingHas this non-ratification anything to do with the fact that the Union Government now have a Bill before them intended to introduce indentured labour from tropical areas, and have they made any application to the Dominions Office for permission to recruit in those areas?