§ 11. Mr. D. Adamsasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, he is aware that apprentices Laminah Kamarah, Amadu Jalloh, Barbar Mansaray, Amadu Turay, employed by the Naval Service Department, an essential undertaking, reported to the commissioner of police that they had been dismissed from their employment without notice and the commissioner declined to take action against their employers in accordance with the Order; and whether, as workers in Sierra Leone are being fined or imprisoned for offences under the Order, he will see that proceedings are taken against the above employers or other offenders and remove thereby the charges of discrimination made against those in authority in Sierra Leone?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanThe four persons mentioned by my hon. Friend were learners, at naval expense, who failed to pass the qualifying test as motor drivers and were discharged by the naval stores officer without the prior permission of the war services officer. They reported to the Central Police Station, but some 1208 delay occurred since they had applied to the wrong department; when redirected, however, they received immediate attention. The naval stores officer was successfully prosecuted by the police on a charge of terminating their employment without the permission of the war services officer.
§ Mr. AdamsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this case is one of quite a number of cases reported in the Press in which employers have not been prosecuted and have dismissed persons employed without notice?
§ Mr. MacmillanThe hon. Member must have misunderstood my reply. This is a case in which employers were successfully prosecuted.