§ 35. Sir L. Lyleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the possibility of the recruitment of labour in Jamaica for work outside the West Indies how the different chief islands in the West Indies are affected by the unemployment problem; and whether, in the case of any recruitment, special consideration is given 1201 to the position of British agriculturists in Trinidad where for two years crops have been seriously affected through labour shortage consequent upon the recruitment of local agricultural workers for the American bases?
§ Colonel StanleyOf the chief islands in the West Indies, Jamaica and Barbados are most affected by unemployment. I have the position of agriculturists in Trinidad very much in mind, but I do not anticipate that any labour will be recruited in Trinidad for the United States of America.
§ Sir L. LyleIs it a fact that 10,000 natives are being recruited for America from Jamaica?
§ Colonel StanleyI am answering another Question on that point which is on the Order Paper.
§ 38. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies approximately the number of workers who are being recruited from the West Indian Colonies for work in the United States of America; from which Colonies the workers are being recruited; and whether any conditions of service have been agreed to?
§ Colonel StanleyA contract was signed in March before the United States Government and the Bahamas Government for the recruitment of labour in the Bahamas for agricultural work in Florida. I have not yet received a copy of the contract, but I understand that the conditions of service prescribed are generally in line with those laid down in the International Labour Conventions. I have no information as to how many workers have so far been recruited. Negotiations are being considered with a view to concluding similar agreements for the importation of labour from Jamaica. The possibility of recruitment in other West Indian Colonies where labour is available has also been considered, but there may be transport and other difficulties.
§ Mr. RileyDoes the contract provide that labour recruited from the Bahamas will receive the same remuneration and work under the same conditions as American labour on similar tasks?
§ Colonel StanleyAs I said in my reply, I have not yet received a copy of the contract.
§ Sir L. LyleIs it not rather extraordinary that we should allow these people to be sent to America, when there are other islands short of labour?
§ Colonel StanleyThe hon. Gentleman will have some knowledge of the geography of the area, and he will realise that the Bahamas are very much closer to Florida than to Trinidad.