§ 27. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the approximate wages or salaries paid to West Africans serving as officers in prisons, remand homes and similar institutions; what increases in these wages and salaries have taken place since the war; and if he is satisfied that present scales are adequate.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsAs the answer is rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. SorensenCan my hon. Friend answer the last part of my Question and say whether he is satisfied that the present scales are adequate?
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThe revised scales were introduced as recently as last year after a thorough investigation. In these circumstances, I feel that they are adequate.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Prison warders in Nigeria are now being paid at rates rising from a minimum of £66 per annum for a third-class warder to a maximum of £280 per annum for a chief warder, Grade I. Before the recent salaries revision, the corresponding rates were £24 per annum and £220 per annum, respectively, with cost of living allowance. For an African assistant superintendent of prisons, the present salary scale rises from £450 to £600 in 10 years, as compared with a previous scale rising from £300 to £450 in 13 years. Comparable salary increases have been granted throughout the public services in West Africa. The revised scales were introduced as recently as last year after a thorough investigation, and I am satisfied that they are adequate.