22. Mrs. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to encourage the formation and recognition of trades unions in the Bahamas; and whether the present staff of the Labour Department there includes anyone in a senior position with experience of trade union organisation.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Bahamas Trade Unions Act of 1943 provides for the formation and registration of unions. Trade unions are of recent growth and their recognition is primarily a matter for the two sides of industry. There is a Labour 498 Conciliation Board on which trade unions are represented but there is no labour department.
Mrs. WhiteIn the circumstances in which the union of the workers in the largest industry, the hotel industry, is not recognised, is it not desirable to consider setting up a Labour Department and should not an official of some experience who might help in these matters be sent there?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydTwo people who went from my Department last year made it clear that in their view there should be a Labour Department. That is my view and that of the Governor of the Bahamas, but so far it has not been carried by the Legislature. I very much hope that our joint views will have some influence.