HC Deb 21 June 1939 vol 348 cc2250-2W
Mr. Paling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information about the disturbances which have occurred at the mine belonging to the Sierra Leone Development Company at Marampa; what are the duties and terms of reference of the labour adviser who has been sent there; and whether he has been sent merely to make a report or has he any powers of action?

Sir T. Inskip

My information is that disorders took place; on 2nd, 3rd and 10th May. Four Court Messengers were badly injured, and five arrests were made. The strike ended on the morning of 22nd May. As regards the remainder of the question, the appointment is that of Labour Secretary to the Government of Sierra Leone and no terms of reference have been laid down. The officer is to be attached to the Secretariat, and among his duties will be those of inspecting and advising upon labour conditions and promoting good relationships between employers and employed.

Mr. Gallacher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give information regarding the strike of mine-workers at Marampa in Sierra Leone; what is the average daily wage of the Marampa miner and whether, because of the widespread unrest in this Colony, and, in view of the repressive legislation which it is proposed to introduce, he will consider the dispatch of a Royal Commission to investigate labour and social conditions in all the British West African Colonies, protectorates and mandated territories?

Sir T. Inskip

A strike of approximately 3,000 labourers broke out at Marampa on 2nd May and ended on the morning of 22nd May. As regards the second part of the question, the information requested is not available, but inquiry for it will be made. As regards the third part, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend to questions by the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams) on 15th March and 24th May.

Mr. Paling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the reasons for the passing of the Incitement to Disaffection Ordinance, the Sedition Ordinance, the Undesirable Publication Ordinance, and the present consideration of the Deportation Ordinance by the Legislative Council of Sierra Leone; and whether he is aware of the large amount of opposition to these measures in the Colony?

Sir T. Inskip

The object of this legislation is to ensure that the Government should have adequate powers, and that those powers should be specifically defined, to enable it to take such steps as may be necessary to safeguard peace and good order. The introduction of such legislation was considered all the more desirable in view of the increasing strategic importance of Freetown and of the presence of a garrison there. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend is aware that in Sierra Leone some opposition to these measures has been expressed; this appears to have been largely due to misapprehension of the nature and object of the legislation.

Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that many mothers in Sierra Leone are prepared to sell off their children to secure the means of paying the taxes levied on them in order not to undergo the penalty of failure to pay which includes tying, peppering, and flogging; and whether he will make an investigation into these cases of cruelty in the protectorate?

Sir T. Inskip

The allegation that children are being sold to secure funds for the payment of tax is without foundation. Some instances of alleged ill-treatment in connection with the collection of tax have been reported and particulars of the action taken are being obtained from the Governor.

Mr. Riley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the four proposed Ordinances now before the Sierra Leone Legislative Council will have to be submitted to him for his approval before they can become operative; and whether, before he gives his consent, he will have copies of these Ordinances placed in the Library for the information of Members?

Sir T. Inskip

My right hon. Friend has not yet seen the text of the Bills as passed by the Legislative Council; but, subject to any special provision contained therein, each Bill assented to by the Governor would take effect and come into operation as law on the date of its publication in the Sierra Leone Gazette. Copies of the Ordinances, when received, will be placed in the Library of the House.