HC Deb 22 February 1939 vol 344 c376
67. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the date and particulars of the last report received from the Governor of Nyasaland on the recruitment of native labour for mines in Southern Rhodesia and the Union of South Africa?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The last published document on the subject is Mr. Abraham's report published for the Nyasaland Government in 1937. My subsequent information consists of a series of despatches and other unpublished papers dealing in detail with the various aspects of the subject. These reports cover many subjects, but on the whole they show a steady improvement in the state of affairs. For example, the mortality rate from all causes amongst Nyasaland labourers on the Rand has fallen in the last two years from approximately 24 to 12 per thousand.

Mr. Day

Have any exclusive rights been given to any private company to recruit these natives?

Mr. MacDonald

I do not think so.