HC Deb 21 February 1951 vol 484 cc1282-3
34. Sir Richard Acland

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make available to Members of this House copies of the report of the Board of Inquiry appointed by the Governor of Sierra Leone to examine the causes and circumstances of the disturbance which broke out at the Marampa mine of the Sierra Leone Development Company: and whether he will take steps in advance to find out whether other similar companies in West Africa are creating the risk of similar disturbances by adopting practices similar to those which were adversely commented upon by the Board in the case of this company.

Mr. J. Griffiths

I am arranging to place a copy of the report in the Library. I am glad to say that subsequent negotiations between the company and the union have resulted in a satisfactory settlement on most of the matters in the report. My Assistant Labour Adviser has recently returned from Sierra Leone, where he had consultations with the Governor on labour relations in the territory generally: and my hon. Friend may rest assured that any general lessons that may be learned from an incident of this kind are not neglected.

Sir R. Acland

Does the Minister agree that the report shows that a little while ago a most unsatisfactory state of affairs existed and that it is a matter for consideration whether there is need for investigation to see that similar situations do not develop elsewhere?

Mr. Griffiths

As I indicated, my Assistant Labour Officer has recently been in Sierra Leone to investigate the whole position. He has just returned and we are discussing the matter with him.

Sir R. Acland

Without any hostility, may I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment on 2nd March?