HC Deb 21 February 1949 vol 461 cc1576-7
24. Mr. Dumpleton

asked the Minister of Food on how many occasions and on what subjects he has exercised his powers under Section 9 (1) of the Overseas, Resources Development Act, 1948, in relation to the East African groundnuts scheme.

Mr. Strachey

None, Sir.

25. Mr. Dumpleton

asked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that the Overseas Food Corporation is fully carrying out its obligations under Section 8 of the Overseas Resources Development Act, 1948, in relation to the East African groundnuts scheme.

Mr. Strachey

The Corporation keeps me informed at regular intervals of the progress of the scheme as a whole, including the matters covered by Section 8 of the Overseas Resources Development Act. I also visited each of the three areas of cultivation in Tanganyika last summer.

Mr. Dumpleton

What steps are being taken to organise the employees of the Overseas Food Corporation there into trade unions?

Mr. Strachey

It is not usually considered to be the employers' function to organise workers into trade unions. In some of these areas, at any rate, I think the African employees are not at a stage of development at which that would be very easy. Of course, the Corporation would not oppose in any way the organisation of trade unions.