§ 15. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent it is intended to implement the trade union scheme for the advancement of African railway workers in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which has been agreed by the Federal Government; when such implementation is anticipated; and what are the reasons for the delay.
§ Mr. J. AmeryI do not know of any such agreed scheme.
The remainder of the Question would not therefore seem to arise.
§ Mr. HyndIs not the Minister aware that a scheme has been submitted for the advancement of Africans on the railways, that is has been discussed in public by the Minister for Railways, that he intimated a few weeks ago that he would have a Government meeting to discuss it on 2nd April, and that the excuse which he gives for not implementing it is that this would mean similar arrangements for other industries? Is not the Minister aware of that? If not, will he make some inquiries and let us know what is the position and why there has been a delay?
§ Mr. HyndOn a point of order. The Minister has referred to the fact that the Constitution provided for the railways to be a Federal matter, but this is a trade union matter.
§ Mr. AmeryThe Governments of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland are responsible for legislation on trade union matters and their consequent administration of the law. They are not responsible for the negotiating of agreements between the Rhodesian railways, which are in public ownership under the Federal Government, and their employees.