§ 43. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any regular and systematic registration of unemployed workers in Jamaica, Trinidad, and British Guiana; if not, will he consider the promotion of such registration; and will he consider the establishment of Labour Departments in these Colonies?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThere is a labour exchange in British Guiana and a labour bureau in Trinidad which afford facilities for registration of unemployed workers, and a start was made with the registration of unemployed in Jamaica last year. With regard to the remainder of the question, there is already a Labour Department in British Guiana and the nucleus of one in Trinidad, where the appointment of additional staff is under consideration. I hope sortly to be able to announce the appointment of a Labour Adviser for Jamaica who will assist the Colonial Government in the creation of a Labour Department. It is hoped that regular unemployment registration will be 1134 an important part of the functions of these Departments.
§ Mr. RileyDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is equally necessary to have a Labour Department in Jamaica as it is in Trinidad and British Guiana, and is the registration in Jamaica now being continued?
Mr. MacDonaldThe answer to the first part of the supplementary question is certainly in the affirmative. As to the second part, registration is being continued, but on a voluntary basis. I hope that when the Labour Department is established it will be systematic and regular.