§ 52. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that children are employed in Kenya in labour lines and are not able to reach home the same evening from work, and that they are open to immoral practices as the result; and will he take steps to put a stop to this system?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe circumstances in which juveniles are employed in Kenya have recently been the subject of an exhaustive inquiry by a committee appointed by the Governor. In paragraphs 36–42 of their report, a copy of which is available in the Library, the committee dealt in general terms with the allegations that children in labour lines are exposed to immoral practices, and came to the conclusion that there was very little in these allegations. The committee expressed the view that, subject to proper safeguards and stringent regulation, the employment of juveniles in circumstances involving their accommodation in labour lines is not harmful. The proposals of the committee have been accepted, and I can assure the hon. Member that the Government of the Colony will keep a careful watch upon the matter.
Viscountess AstorWill my right hon. Friend see that no children under 14 are employed in any work which keeps them away from their homes?
§ Miss WilkinsonDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the Government of Kenya are an impartial body to go into the matter, seeing that they are largely representative of the views of capitalists, who find it necessary to get cheap labour?
§ Mr. Speaker rose—
§ Miss WilkinsonOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Seeing that the Front Bench has already taken so long in answering one question, have the rights of private Members to ask legitimate supplementary questions been abrogated?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Lady seemed to me to be giving information rather than asking for it.