HC Deb 03 May 1939 vol 346 cc1875-6
60. Mr. Paling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the formation and development of labour departments in the interests of native labour in Uganda, Tanganyika, Kenya, Nyasaland and Northern and Southern Rhodesia?

Mr. M. MacDonald

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Paling

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the present state of development in these labour departments is at least as good now as it was before these economies were made in 1922–33?

Mr. MacDonald

I would not like to give a specific answer with regard to every one of these Colonies until I have gone into the matter more carefully, but there has been very considerable development since 1931, and in some cases we are considering still further developments at the present time.

Following is the answer:

In Kenya there has been for some years a Labour Section which is in process of expansion. In Uganda there is a Labour Inspector, but the arrangements for Government supervision of labour are under review. In Tanganyika there is a separate Labour Inspectorate under a Chief Labour Inspector, and there is also a Standing Labour Advisory Board to advise the Government from time to time on all matters affecting the supply and employment of native labour. There is a Labour Commissioner in Nyasaland, and the creation of a Labour Department in Northern Rhodesia is under active consideration. In this connection, the recommendation of the recent Royal Commission, that consideration should be given to the formation of a single Labour Department for Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, will be borne in mind. As regards labour emigrating from these two territories, the Governments of both Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland have appointed Labour Officers to reside in Southern Rhodesia to safeguard the interests of such labour employed in that Colony. The appointment jointly by the two Governments of an officer with a similar function to reside in Johannesburg, is also contemplated. So far as Southern Rhodesia is concerned, the matter is entirely one for the Southern Rhodesia Government, and my Department is not concerned with it.

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