HL Deb 16 May 1973 vol 342 cc811-2

2.40 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will (a) propose to the United Nations Security Council that a minimum living wage and humane accommodation for African workers be required in Namibia (South-West Africa), and (b) bring pressure on British companies to end the sub-human conditions under which their Ovambo workers are employed.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

My Lords, labour conditions in South-West Africa and the practices of foreign firms operating in the Territory were the subject of two of the operative paragraphs of Resolution No. 310 adopted by the Security Council on February 4, 1972. As we have often said, the Government hope that British firms will recognise their long-term interest in establishing a reputation as good employers.

LORD BROCKWAY

But, my Lords, is it enough just to express a hope? Has the noble Baroness read the article by Adam Raphael in the Guardian of May 5, in which he said that British companies in Namibia are paying lower wages and operating under worse conditions than exist even in the Republic of South Africa which he recently exposed? Is she aware that he said that British companies in Winhoek are compelled to send their African employees to a compound—wire fences around it, concrete bunkers, 20 crowded into a room, food prepared with spades and pitchforks, and the smell of urine everywhere? Is it not necessary for the Government to make some protest for the reputation of Britain in Namibia?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, yes, I did read the article. I cannot comment on the specific allegations, but I can say that the conditions of employment are in the first place a matter for individual firms. It is for that reason that the Department of Trade and Industry, as the noble Lord will know, circulated a pamphlet which pointed out that it was perfectly open for British firms to give wages which were above the minimum.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that Mr. Raphael gave a list of British companies which are paying less than the minimum level which was decided by the Winhoek Non-European Affairs Department? Is she aware that among these is the British Steel Corporation, which has a minority of shares in one of these companies? As this is a national company, surely it is the duty of Her Majesty's Government to bring pressure to bear upon it to see that living wages are paid to the employees of its subsidiary in Namibia?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, the number of British firms engaged mainly in mining, banking and insurance is only about 25, and the publicity given to this question will no doubt make British firms consider their employment conditions.