§ 42. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to state in which Colonial and Trust Territories forced labour is still operating.
§ Mr. ProfumoI assume that the hon. Member has in mind the International Labour Convention on the abolition of forced labour, which the United Kingdom ratified in December, 1957.
My right hon. Friend is still in consultation with overseas Governments about the application of that Convention and he is not yet ready to make a statement.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the Minister able to say in how many Colonial Territories this Convention is not at present being kept, and can he indicate when he is likely to receive a reply from the Colonial Governments?
§ Mr. ProfumoI cannot say when my right hon. Friend will receive a reply, and because of that I should prefer not to anticipate the outcome of the consultations.