20. Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the wages paid to African labour on the sisal estates of Tanganyika; and how they compare with wages paid on the tobacco plantations of Southern Rhodesia.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Mr. WilliamsWould the Minister agree that, roughly, the relation of the wages is that the tobacco planters of Southern Rhodesia pay almost twice as much as the current rate paid by the sisal growers of Tanganyika?
§ Mr. GriffithsI have given my hon. Friend very full figures, and perhaps he will study them first.
Colonel Gonune-DuncanWill the figures make very clear the difference in the cost of living in the two Colonies?
§ Following is the reply:
§ The wage rates vary considerably throughout both Tanganyika and Southern Rhodesia. The average rates of wages paid to indigenous employees on sisal estates in Tanganyika are:
| Occupation | Average wages Shs. | Unit of computation | Average number of hours worked per week |
| Cutters | 21/-;5/- bonus | 30 tasks to be completed in 42 days | 48-50 |
| Cleaners and weeders. | 15/-;2/50 bonus | 42-46 | |
| Production | 21/-;5/- bonus | 42-46 |
§ Rations are issued in addition; if rations are not issued wages are increased proportionately. It is usual for land and accommodation also to be provided. Exact figures for Southern Rhodesia are not available, but the wage rates are understood to be 40/- to 44/- a month, plus similar services in kind.
§ In the absence of any common index of prices and costs of living, it is difficult to compare statistically real wage rates in the two territories.
21. Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the bulk purchase contracts arranged between Great Britain and the sisal growers of Tanganyika, there is any control of wage rates.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsThe bulk purchase contract between Great Britain and the sisal growers of East Africa ended at the beginning of 1949. The question, therefore, does not arise.
Mr. WilliamsWould not my right.hon. Friend agree that there has, in fact, been no reduction in the prices paid for sisal? In those circumstances would it not be reasonable, since the British 1678 Government is the buyer of the sisal, that it should ask that some interest be taken in wage rate control in sisal?
§ Mr. GriffithsI appreciate the point which my hon. Friend makes, but the above contract, which has now ended, did not contain the arrangement which my hon. Friend suggests. That is a matter for the future.