HC Deb 10 July 1958 vol 591 c558
9. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the existing registered trade union in Tanganyika, to which sisal workers belong, has been excluded from membership of the proposed consultative council on labour relations for the sisal industry.

Mr. Profumo

Representatives of the Tanganyika Sisal and Plantation Workers Union, formerly the National Union of Plantation Workers, are included in the membership of the recently established Joint Consultative Council for the sisal industry.

Mr. Skeffington

Can the hon. Member say why it is that the Tanganyika Federation of Labour, which certainly represented by far the largest number of workers on the plantations, has been deliberately excluded? Is it right that the Government should give the impression that only a kind of company union is to be tolerated?

Mr. Profumo

That is not the situation at all. The union was not originally recognised, but now that it has changed its major principles it is fully recognised. I am sure that what the hon. Member has in mind has now taken place.