HC Deb 07 July 1943 vol 390 cc2074-5
19. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement on the reintroduction of forced labour of Africans for work on European farms in Kenya?

24. Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement regarding the revival of conscript labour in Kenya; whether such labour is to be available for private employers; and whether, as such conscription of native labour is a violation of the spirit of the Forced Labour Convention of 1930, which has been ratified by His Majesty's Government, the views of the Chief Native Commissioner have been ascertained as to the effect of this conscription on conditions in the native reserves?

Colonel Stanley

The Governor has reported that he has decided to remove, in respect of sisal only, the suspension which was laid in February last upon the compulsory recruitment of Africans under the Defence regulations. This industry is of cardinal importance to the war effort now that supplies from the Far East for agricultural and marine purposes are no longer available to the United Nations. The employment of this labour on the sisal estates, which are privately owned, will be on the same conditions as previously, with all the safeguards which have been in force throughout. These are set out in the reply given to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 4th March, 1942. The Chief Native Commissioner is a member of the Governor's Executive Council, and his views will therefore have been taken fully into consideration.

Mr. Creech Jones

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend whether the food supply in reserve has now been improved?

Colonel Stanley

I do not quite understand what the hon. Gentleman means by "improved." The position has eased. This production of sisal is of very vital importance, not only to ourselves, but particularly to the United States of America.

Mr. Riley

Has the attention of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman been drawn to a report in "The Times" newspaper of 1st July, in which the Chief Native Commissioner stated that he warned the Commission against withdrawing labour, and may I ask whether the Chief Native Commissioner was overruled?

Colonel Stanley

Not to my knowledge, nor, I think, if the hon. Gentleman will look again at "The Times" report, will he find that "The Times" did suggest that.

Captain Peter Macdonald

Is there any reason why there should not be recruitment of labour in Kenya as well as in this country?

Mr. John Dugdale

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider sending a politely-worded letter to the sisal farmers suggesting that adequate wages might secure the labour?

Colonel Stanley

I very much doubt whether in fact that would be the result.