§ 38. Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, in spite of considerable unemployment in Seychelles Colony, the Government have amended the Compulsory Service Ordinance to apply to males between the ages of 14 and 55 for compulsory labour upon Government and 890 private estates; whether he can state the wages, hours and conditions imposed; and why no representative of labour was appointed to the Agricultural Board concerned?
§ Colonel StanleyI am not aware of the existence of considerable unemployment in the Seychelles. The Compulsory Service Ordinance was made applicable to persons between the ages of 18–45 to enable the necessary labour to be obtained for food planting and other essential services. It is not intended that the Order shall be applied to compel persons to work on private estates. As regards the second part of the Question, detailed information as to wages, hours and conditions of work are not at present available, but the law provides that persons required to work shall receive the ordinary rates of pay current locally for such work. The Governor is sending a report by mail which will, no doubt, contain full particulars. As regards the last part of the Question, I am asking the Governor for information as to the constitution of the present Agricultural Board.
§ Mr. AdamsDoes the Minister not consider that it is a reactionary policy to compel people to work when they are willing to work if they have decent conditions?
§ Colonel StanleyThese people are compelled to work in their own interests, because the food situation there is extremely difficult, and steps have got to be taken to increase production.