27. Dr. Morganasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the coaling system in vogue in the Island of St. Lucia, British West Indies, by which local women are employed like slaves to tramp and mount ship's gangways in scanty clothing with heavy basket loads of coal on their heads, urged on by male foremen", for the ships' bunkers; whether a system of mechanical loading has ever been proposed, if not, why not; and whether this undesirable coaling method will now be changed?
§ Mr. George HallMy Noble Friend is in communication with the Governor of the Windward Islands regarding the practicability of dispensing with the employment of women in bunkering in St. Lucia. As regards the second part of the Question, the volume of bunkering is not sufficient to justify the provision of mechanical loading. Moreover, the introduction of mechanical loading would probably be opposed strenuously by the workers themselves. It would be a very doubtful benefit to St. Lucia to introduce labour-saving machinery in advance of some measure, which is not at present in sight, for employing the labour so displaced.
Dr. MorganIn view of the absence of trade union organisation, how do the Government know that the workers themselves will object to the change in the system?
§ Sir Leonard LyleIs it not more than likely that if my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies were to enter the dress-designing business in the West Indies, it would prove to be disastrous and would be hotly resented by the ladies in question?
§ Mr. StephenWould trade unionism be disastrous to the profits of the hon. Member for Bournemouth (Sir L. Lyle)?
§ Dr. Edith SummerskillDoes the hon. Gentleman approve of this system? We abolished this kind of thing in this country 100 years ago, and is it in accord with our democratic principle that it should continue in one of our Colonies?