HC Deb 09 May 1938 vol 335 cc1232-4
37. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the fact that wages of under 2s. a day are being paid by Messrs. Tate and Lyle to their employé's on sugar plantations in Jamaica, he will take steps to institute a minimum wage for that island?

The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Mr. Cross)

I have been asked to reply. The Governor has recently appointed, with my right hon. Friend's approval, two Commissioners to examine labour conditions generally and to collect particulars of the wages of the lowest-paid classes of labourers. It would be premature to attempt to fix a minimum wage until the Commissioners have reported and the Governor has made recommendations on the report. My right hon. Friend has no particulars regarding the various rates of wages now being paid, but from such information as is available it appears that the average daily wage of field labourers on the plantations in question is in excess of the figure quoted by the hon. Member.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware of the terribly depressed condition of the field labourers; and would the Department not state that one of the first things any Commission ought to do, is to make an immediate recommendation for increased wages for these labourers?

Mr. Cross

I have already indicated that my right hon. Friend is making the inquiries which he must necessarily make before taking any action.

38. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any kind of trade union organisation exists in Jamaica; and, if so, whether it is recognised by employers or the Government?

Mr. Cross

As my right hon. Friend has stated before in this House, machinery exists in Jamaica for the setting up of trade unions. He is not aware how many such unions have been registered under the law, but he has recently been informed by the Governor that, while no trade union for workers in the sugar industry only exists, there is a union which claims to represent all classes of labour and may have sugar workers amongst its members. The Governor intimates, however, that owing to dissensions among its leaders, the union has lost influence amongst many of the labourers in different parts of the island.

Mr. Gallacher

Have the workers in Jamaica the right to form their own independent trade unions, apart from existing Government machinery for setting up trade unions?

Mr. Creech Jones

Is the Minister aware that there is a definite interference with the right of assembly and also with the legitimate functions of trade unions; and will he make representations to have the existing restrictions removed?

Mr. Cross

I will inform my right hon. Friend of the hon. Member's question.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the facilities for forming trade unions in Jamaica are equal to, less than, or more than, those in Soviet Russia?