HC Deb 17 March 1948 vol 448 cc2066-7
11. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the salaries and allowances of Mr. R. W. Osgathorpe, Welfare Officer to the Kenya and Uganda Railways, and Mr. J. S. Patrick, Trades Union Officer to the Kenya Government; what were their previous party affiliations and colonial experience; and whether applications for these posts were invited in the Colonies.

Mr. Creech Jones

The present salaries of these officers are £1,000 and £743 respectively. In addition they receive cost-of-living allowances of £28 and £172 respectively. Candidates for Government appointments in the Colonies are naturally not required to disclose their political affiliations. Neither officer had previously had Colonial experience but both have a wide knowledge of trade union practice in this country. Applications for the posts were invited through the medium of trades unions in the United Kingdom, as it was desired by the Kenya Government and the Kenya and Uganda Railways Administration, with my full support, to obtain the services of men with exactly this experience.

Mr. Keeling

Would the Secretary of State answer the second part of the Question which was not what party affiliations they disclosed but what, in fact, their party affiliations were?

Mr. H. Hynd

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has had satisfactory reports of the work these men are doing?

Mr. Creech Jones

I have had the most satisfactory reports in respect of both men.

Mr. Scollan

Is nobody allowed to take such a job unless he is a member Of the Tory Party?