§ 34. Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a Bill has been introduced into Kenya Colony providing for a system of penal sanctions for servants and proposing that fines and, in some cases, imprisonment will be inflicted upon employés for breaches of their civil agreements; that the penalties proposed include a fine equal to one-half the monthly wages or, alternatively, one month's imprisonment; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe Bill to which the hon. Member refers is mainly a consolidation of the existing law with some amendments. The provisions relating to penal sanctions in connection with labour contracts are substantially the same as those already in existence, though the penalties have been reduced and in some cases provision is made for the imposition of a fine where previously there had been no alternative to imprisonment. The Bill has been under consideration for a long time, and I see no reason to delay its enactment, since it incorporates several amendments which experience has shown to be desirable.
§ Mr. AmmonIs the Minister not aware that it actually does make arrangements for what is practically a system of slavery for the natives and that there is no escape unless they perform a certain number of days per year?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI must repudiate that. It is really not in accord with the facts. As I said, this Bill merely consolidates old legislation with some mitigation in favour of the natives.
§ Mr. AmmonAs the right hon. Gentleman says, it is consolidation, but it also introduces a factor that has never been there before, namely, the right to demand of these people a certain number of days per year, in default of which they either go to prison or receive a heavy fine.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreUnder the system of contract which has obtained in the past so many days of service have been required in the year of squatters on European land. It is a very old-established principle and no new principle has been introduced. There is no new thing in this Bill at all.
Mr. Creech JonesIs it not a fact that this Bill actually increases the number of days of compulsory labour from 180 to 270, and is it not time that this method of penal sanctions should be abolished?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreCertainly, as the hon. Gentleman knows, there have been difficulties in the Colonies, and attempts have been made from time to time to deal systematically with the problem.