§ 59. Mr. George Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give a list of the Colonial territories in which a minimum wage has actually been fixed for any occupation?
§ Mr. CrossI have been asked to reply. Inquiries on this subject were addressed to Colonial Governments last summer. 987 Some of the replies have still to be received, but according to my present information the present position is as follows: Minimum rates of wages have been prescribed in the Bahamas for unskilled labourers employed in the building trade; in Grenada and St. Vincent for agricultural labourers; in St. Lucia, for agricultural labourers generally, for workers engaged in the sugar industry, and for persons engaged in various occupations in the coaling industry; and in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, for native labourers. In Malta, an Order prescribing minimum rates of wages for employés in shops will come into force on 1st January, and an Order prescribing minimum rates of wages for employés in the land transport services has been published in draft form in the Government Gazette. In the Straits Settlements and in the Federated and Unfederated Malay States, standard rates of wages are prescribed in certain areas for labourers employed by Government. In Ceylon the question of introducing a minimum wage for agricultural and industrial labourers is now under consideration.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs it the case that in some instances the minimum wage is only 1s. a day for men and 8d. for women?
§ Mr. CrossI have given a very full answer, and I think that any further questions had better be put down.
§ Mr. GriffithsWill the Minister publish the figures also in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ Mr. CrossI think that, if the hon. Member asks for them, my right hon. Friend will do what he can.
§ Mr. LunnWill these minimum wage rates become operative in accordance with an Ordinance; and when can we expect full particulars from the Secretary of State regarding the matter?
§ Mr. CrossI think that, if the hon. Gentleman will read the answer, he will find that his first question is partly covered. With regard to the second part, I think it had better be put down.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesAre we to understand that the authorities are about to lay down minimum rates of wages for shop assistants in Malta?
§ Mr. RileyIs the hon. Gentleman in a position to give, as regards the cases mentioned in his reply, the annual amounts paid?