29. Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been sent by the Government of Northern Rhodesia to the complaints of the Governing Body of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions alleging violation of trade union freedom, and asking for re-examination of the compulsory registration of trade unions and the imposition of Press censorship at times of labour disputes.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the complaint addressed to the I.L.O. by the Northern Rhodesia T.U.C., an affiliate of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. This complaint was referred by the I.L.O. to Her Majesty's Government in accordance with normal practice, and I am arranging for a copy of Her Majesty's Government's reply, which is detailed, to be sent to the hon. Member.
Mr. LeeWill the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that it is not a lot of good for the I.C.F.T.U. to try to blaze the trail of free trade unionism and get rid of the shackles of which we complain behind the Iron Curtain if this kind of thing happens in Rhodesia?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI do not know what the hon. Member means by "this kind of thing". All the charges in the document, except two, were dismissed by the I.L.O., and the two which were not dismissed are the subject of a further inquiry, which we are conducting speedily. I will let the hon. Member have a copy of the information that we send to the I.L.O.