§ 10. Mr. Bennasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is satisfied that the conditions of the squatters' contract labour in Kenya are consistent with the International Labour Organisation Convention on slavery; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Profumorose—
§ Mr. BennOn a point of order. Mr. Speaker. This Question should refer to 1116 the "United Nations" Convention on Slavery.
§ Mr. ProfumoI understand that the hon. Member is referring to the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, which Her Majesty's Government signed on 7th September, 1956. I am advised the form of contract as prescribed in Kenya by the Resident Labourers Ordinance would not contravene the Convention.
§ Mr. BennCould the Minister give the House an assurance that the conditions which at one time did prevail requiring children of sixteen to work for the farmer and also dealing with the pass laws are not a contravention of the provisions of this Convention?
§ Mr. ProfumoI have taken everything into consideration in giving the Answer I have given to the hon. Member.
Mr. Creech JonesWill the Minister give serious attention to the whole problem of squatter labour and contract labour in the European Highlands with a view to introducing a system of free labour based on the native villages so that the workpeople can go out to work on the farms rather than the present system in which sometimes penal sanctions operate?
§ Mr. ProfumoI should point out that the contracts are freely entered into by the employees, but certainly what the right lion. Member has suggested will be our long-term aim.
§ Mr. ArmstrongIs my hon. Friend aware that these resident labour contracts have always been eagerly sought after by Africans working on farms in Kenya and that Kikuyu now returning to farms are disappointed that it is difficult or impossible to get such contracts? Is he aware that to suggest that they have any affinity with slavery is the greatest travesty of the facts?
§ Mr. ProfumoYes. Sir, I think that would he very true.