HC Deb 13 July 1938 vol 338 cc1305-7
28. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action the Northern Rhodesian Government has taken in respect to the three-government agreement of August, 1936, in the matter of rest places, medical, and other assistance for native labourers seeking or returning from work on the main labour routes; and whether a supervising officer has yet been appointed?

Mr. M. MacDonald

Medical facilities are available on all the main labour routes. The Northern Rhodesia Government is considering plans for the erection of rest houses where necessary on these routes. I have approved the appointment of a Labour Officer of the Northern Rhodesia Government to be stationed in Southern Rhodesia.

Mr. Creech Jones

Will the right hon. Gentleman press on the Northern Rhodesian Government the need for action, especially in view of the fact that in the Pym report it is definitely stated that nothing so far had been done?

Mr. MacDonald

Yes, Sir, I propose to address a despatch to the Governor on the matter.

29. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to improve the conditions of emigration from Northern Rhodesia to the Lupa gold mines in Tanganyika; and what steps are being taken in Tanganyika to safeguard the industrial and social interests of the natives concerned?

Mr. MacDonald

During the past two years conditions have been much improved on the Lupa goldfields, to which a considerable emigration of labour from Northern Rhodesia takes place. The Government has provided a large staff of administrative, medical, labour and other officers; labour camps have been set up; a hospital and three dispensaries have been established; and there has been a marked improvement in the health of the labour employed.

30. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that steps are to he taken in Northern Rhodesia to recruit in Barotseland 10,000 natives a year for work in the mines in the Union of South Africa; whether he is satisfied with the results in respect to health and mortality of the tropical natives so employed; and whether the Transvaal Chamber of Mines are prepared to enter into a satisfactory arrangement in respect to travelling costs and transport to and from the work, deferred pay, and the classification of the Barotse?

Mr. MacDonald

The engagement of Barotse natives is only being permitted up to a maximum of 1,500 for an experimental period of one year during which it will be ascertained whether their health on the Rand is satisfactory. The hon. Member may rest assured that further recruitment will not be permitted unless I am fully satisfied with the conditions of health and employment for these natives on the Rand, including the arrangements for transport.

Mr. Creech Jones

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him whether it is proposed to bring into operation the existing agreement of August, 1936, whereby it is proposed that 10,000 natives from Northern Rhodesia shall be employed on the Rand; and will he urge on the Union of South Africa, that, if they desire to have this labour, they should at least ratify the I.L.O. Convention?

Mr. MacDonald

The whole question of any further recruitment is dependent on my being satisfied with the experiment on which we are engaged at present.

Mr. Paling

Did not the experiment already made prove that the death-rate among these natives is twice as high as it is among other natives and in face of that fact why does the right hon. Gentleman not protect them?

Mr. MacDonald

There has been one previous experiment, but it did not last sufficiently long to give us conclusive data, and that is why a second experiment w as undertaken.

Mr. Paling

Did it not last sufficiently long to prove that twice as many of these natives died?