32. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the report of the senior provincial commissioner of Nyasaland on Nyasaland natives working in the Union of South Africa and in Southern Rhodesia, which states that the annual death rate of Nyasaland workers on the South African mines is 20.28 per thousand, as against a general death rate on the mines, for all natives, of 6.66 per thousand, he will give instructions that no further recruitment for such work shall take place in Nyasaland?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe question of the recruitment of native labour for work on the mines in the Union of South Africa was recently discussed by the Governors of Southern and Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland with a representative of the Transvaal Chamber of Mines. The mortality statistics quoted by the hon. Member, together with their explanation in paragraphs 21 and 22 of Mr. Abraham's report, were taken into consideration, and in the light of this and other factors it was decided that the recruitment of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia natives on a limited scale must still be regarded as experimental for a further period of one year. I am awaiting a full report from the Governors concerned, but until the result of the extended experiment can be measured I am 1090 not prepared to issue instructions in the sense proposed in the question. The hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that the numbers recruited under the experimental arrangement are only a small proportion of those who actually find their way to work in the mines.
Mr. Creech JonesWill the Minister see that attention is given to that part of the report which recommends that while the experiment is going on, and natives of Nyasaland are employed on the Rand, there should be a Nyasaland officer there looking after their welfare?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThat is being considered.