HC Deb 24 June 1937 vol 325 cc1395-6W
Mr. Paling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet come to any conclusion regarding the provisional agreement on migrant native labour between Southern and Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland; and when he will be in a position to make a statement?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have recently addressed despatches to the Governments of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland conveying my general approval of the agreement.

Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the practical difficulties still standing in the way of the ratification of the International Labour Office Convention on the recruitment of native labour; how soon his discussions with the Governments in the Colonies will be completed; and what is the policy of the British Government in relation to the Union of South Africa in respect to this convention as far as recruitment in Nyasaland and other British Colonies is concerned?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The only difficulty standing in the way of the ratification by His Majesty's Government of the International Convention concerning the Regulation of Certain Special Systems of Recruiting Workers, which was adopted by the International Labour Conference last summer, is whether or not it can be applied without modification to certain African territories where labour is recruited for work in the Union of South Africa. This matter is still under consideration, and discussion with the Government of the Union.

Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has ratified the draft agreement between the Colonies of Nyasaland and the Rhodesias on the subject of migration; and whether he proposes to publish such agreement with his observations thereon?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have approved the Agreement, which was published last November. I am placing in the Library a copy of my despatch to Nyasaland. The despatch to Northern Rhodesia simply sent a copy of the despatch to Nyasaland.