§ 33. Mr. Alportasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the recent pronouncements made by the Labour Commissioners of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, the Government is prepared to re-examine its policy with regard to the extension of colonial trade unionism.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsNo, Sir. There is no question of any modification of the policy of encouraging the development of colonial trade unions. The point is that in East Africa the organisation of workers and employers has not yet reached a sufficiently advanced stage to make collective bargaining fully effective and the development of trade unionism, therefore, needs to be supplemented by the establishment of wages councils and joint consultative machinery.
§ Mr. AlportDoes not the right hon. Gentleman's answer to the previous Question indicate that there is an urgent need for the Government to reconsider their policy, not only in the interest of the development of industrial relations in the Colonies but in the interests of bona fide trade unionism as well?
§ Mr. GriffithsNo, Sir. I will not reconsider the policy. It is unfair and highly dangerous to leave a growing body of wage earners in these colonial territories without an effective trade union to protect them. It is my desire and intention to do everything possible to foster the development of industrial relations.