HC Deb 26 April 1939 vol 346 cc1129-30
35. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that serious dissatisfaction exists among the Negro employés of the Government Departments in Kenya at the monthly payment of wages; and will he consider the institution of weekly payments?

Mr. M. MacDonald

A proposal that the wages of these employés should be paid weekly instead of monthly was fully investigated last year. But it appeared that the majority of the employés themselves preferred monthly payments. It is always possible for an employé to obtain an advance of salary with which to meet an emergency. In the circumstances I see no sufficient reason to ask the Governor to make the change suggested by the hon. Member.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the practice of getting a "sub" operates in this country? Will he not see that as it has stopped in this country it is also stopped in the Colony and that they are paid weekly?

Mr. Rowlands

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are no negro employés in Government Departments in Kenya?

Mr. Stephen

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information which leads him to suppose that these employés prefer monthly payments?

Mr. MacDonald

There was an investigation into this matter in the Colony last year, and I can only say that after a careful inquiry it appeared that the majority were in favour of the present method.

Mr. Paling

Can we have an assurance that the employés had the freest chance of expressing their opinions?

Mr. MacDonald

With regard to the Governor's discretion as to the inquiry which was made and the evidence on which he based his decision, I have the utmost confidence in his judgment.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that to obtain the advantages he suggests means having recourse to the moneylender, and will he not undertake to eliminate this pernicious system of lending money on interest while the men are waiting for their proper wages?

Mr. MacDonald

I am very doubtful whether that is an accurate description. I will certainly look into the matter.