HC Deb 03 April 1958 vol 585 cc1356-7
14. Miss Vickers

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in the case of recruitment of the bushmen of Western Bechuanaland carried out within the terms of the Native Labour Proclamation of 1941, how far the terms of the labour contracts, particularly as regards repatriation of the workers to their homes and the payment of allotments from wages to the workers' families, where this is part of the contract, are being enforced.

Mr. Alport

No recruitment of bushmen for any purpose is at present permitted by licence under the Bechuanaland Protectorate Native Labour Proclamation. The enforcement of the terms of labour contracts, therefore, does not arise.

Miss Vickers

Does my hon. Friend realise that many farmers in South-West Africa are recruiting these people and then keeping them in slave conditions, not allowing them to return to their families? Is not it a fact that one bushman recently escaped back to the Protectorate from South-West Africa, and a native policeman arrested him and handed him back to his employer in South-West Africa? Does my hon. Friend think that this is satisfactory? Further, has he any intention of going out to the Protectorate in the near future to see things for himself?

Mr. Alport

I answered a Question last week with regard to certain allegations made about the recruitment in the Protectorate of bushmen for labour purposes. I have made it clear again this week that there is no recruitment of bushmen for any purposes permitted under licence, and we should take the strongest action possible against any infringement of the Native Labour Proclamation. We have established recently a new police post on the border, which we hope may stamp out any abuses which may exist. I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that the position of bushmen in the Protectorate presents a most interesting but difficult administrative and anthropological problem. We hope to be able to undertake an intensification of its study as a result of the initiative of the High Commissioner, with the help of a grant from C.D. and W. From my own point of view, when I go out there, as I hope to do shortly, this is one of the matters I shall be particularly interested in.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The House will be glad to hear the hon. Gentleman's assurances; but Questions are continually put about these matters in the House. While he is out there, will he take the opportunity to make strong representations to the South African Government that, if they in any way condone this, perhaps, illegal recruitment, we shall take a very strong view about it in this country?

Mr. Alport

I shall do my best to find out the facts for myself when I visit the place.