§ 55. Mr. Palingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the rate of wages paid to casual labourers and domestic workers on farms in Sierra Leone?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI understand that casual labour in the Colony area is paid at the rate of 1s. 3d. a day, and that in the Protectorate the rate ranges from 8d. to 10d. a day. Domestic workers on farms in the Colony are paid from 5s. to 10s. a month, with rations. There is no such paid labour in the Protectorate.
§ Mr. PalingIs there any considerable amount of casual or domestic labour that is not paid any wage at all, but only rations?
Mr. MacDonaldI think that that must apply to the Protectorate, as my answer suggests. As regards the Colony area, the answer is as I have stated.
§ Mr. PalingHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea of the number of people who work under these conditions; and, if they do work under these conditions, how do they manage to pay their taxes?
Mr. MacDonaldI could not say without notice what the number of people is. As regards the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, the taxes are comparatively low, and, as they receive wages in addition to rations, I understand that it is possible for them to pay their taxes out of their wages.