HC Deb 16 July 1957 vol 573 c940
30. Sir L. Plummer

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Africans in Nyasaland who have been recruited annually for the years 1955–57 to work in Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and the Union of South Africa, respectively.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am asking the Governor to provide the details requested, and I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir L. Plummer

If the figures show that there is a continuance of the matriarchal state in Nyasaland because of the absence of a large proportion of the male population, will the right hon. Gentleman consider how to get the men gainfully employed in Nyasaland itself?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think it will be found on examination that the matriarchal system is even older in the Union of South Africa.

Sir L. Plummer

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that because a thing is older it is necessarily better?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I should hesitate to say that control by women was necessarily wrong, particularly after yesterday.