28. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposal he has for the disposal of the native labour now redundant from the Groundnut Scheme; and what compensation he has had to pay in this respect.
§ Mr. CookOn the first part of the Question I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State in the debate of 5th March (HANSARD, Col. 167) which indicated, among other things, that few African employees of the Corporation would become redundant. As regards the second part of the Question, the Corporation have paid to redundant African staff about £2,000 in compensation up to 31st March.
Brigadier ClarkeDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that there were 10,000 natives employed on this work? Does he consider that this is the best way to enhance the British reputation among the coloured natives? Will he be sure not to start any more groundnut schemes which finish up in this way?
§ Mr. CookThat has nothing to do with it, but for the sake of the record it should be made clear that the total is 8,000, and 196 that the number involved only 400, or, roughly, 5 per cent.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksCan the hon. Gentleman say whether those Africans who were at work on the Groundnut Scheme, and who have not been given compensation, are now in full productive employment?
§ Mr. CookMost of them are. Where there is any difficulty, the Secretary of State has instructed that suitable arrangements should be made for them.
§ Sir Waldron SmithersCan the Undersecretary confirm or deny the rumour that the signature tune of the Secretary of State for War is the "Nutcracker Suite"?