HC Deb 13 July 1955 vol 543 cc1924-6
37. Miss Lee

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies through what agency the arrowroot planters of St. Vincent, West Indies, sell their product.

Mr. Hopkinson

Through the St. Vincent Co-operative Arrowroot Association, a statutory body representing the growers and operating on a non-profit-making basis.

Miss Lee

Is the Minister aware that the planters, who are shockingly badly paid, believe that the whole of their product is sold to one agency, that this agency in turn sells the whole of the product to an American agency, and that there is shocking profiteering in this double monopoly?

Mr. Hopkinson

We have no evidence of shocking profiteering. This Association was set up by local ordinance by the St. Vincent Legislature. It represents all sections of the industry, including the small planters, and if any change is needed in its composition, that is something which ought to be taken up in St. Vincent itself.

38. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much workers on the arrowroot estates of St. Vincent, West Indies, earn per week; and what provision is made for them during periods of unemployment.

Mr. Hopkinson

Men earn between about 22s. 6d. and 34s. a week, women rather less. There is no special provision during periods of unemployment.

Mr. Allaun

Are not these disgraceful wages connected with the fact that the arrowroot has to be sold to a monopoly?

Mr. Hopkinson

I do not think that wages have any connection with the arrangements for the sale of the arrowroot: that is on the information which we have. The industry itself is responsible for these arrangements for selling the arrowroot. This is a poor Colony. This industry is a seasonal industry which functions for only four months in the year, but there are other industries, such as Sea Island cotton and sugar, which provide work. Certainly there is unemployment or under-employment in St. Vincent. We are well aware of that, and we are also aware of the need to develop other industries, in particular, the banana industry, to take up that unemployment.

Mr. Shinwell

How can we justify a colonial policy when such disgraceful wages are being paid? Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he condones that policy or not?

Mr. Hopkinson

As in other territories, the amount of wages, as very often quoted in the House, gives a totally false impression. Wages have to be related to the cost of living in the territory concerned.

Mr. Alport

How do these wages compare with wages paid to those in administrative and Government service in the island?

Mr. Hopkinson

I should like to have notice of that question.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. James Johnson.

Mr. J. Johnson

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, since I have a Question—No. 61—on this subject, may I, before I ask Question No. 39, be allowed to ask a supplementary question now?

Mr. Speaker

I called the hon. Member, and he can take advantage of his opportunity.

Mr. Johnson

Is the right hon. Member aware that there is a monopoly board in the U.S.A., the Morning Star firm, under Mr. Muller, and that it is alleged that arrowroot sellers sell at 5½d. per 1b. but could get 1s. or 1s. 2d. and this has a direct connection with wages in the plantations? Will the Minister have an investigation to find what exactly is the wholesale market position in New York?

Mr. Hopkinson

My right hon. Friend has already referred this matter to the Governor of the Windward Isles. If any further information transpires from that inquiry we shall certainly take action to remedy the situation so far as we can, but we must remember that the Association and this monopoly sale is regarded in some quarters as the best way of selling arrowroot in the United States. There are many competitors appearing, and this Association depends on a local ordinance passed by the local Legislature. In these matters we must be careful how far we interfere.

Miss Lee

On a point of order. I wish to give notice that, because of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply and the conflicting evidence, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment on the first opportunity.