§ 100. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the average rent paid by African workers in Mombasa for a family of four; to what extent this is financially disproportionate to wages; and what steps are being taken to provide houses at low rentals.
Mr. Creech JonesThe average rent paid by the lowest paid African workers in Mombasa for a family of four is approximately 10s. a month amounting to 25 per cent. of the minimum wage. The relation of rent to wages is being carefully watched and the housing allowance has now been fixed at 8 sh 25 cents in accordance with an interim award by a local322W tribunal. Schemes for providing houses at low rentals are being put into effect by the Mombasa Municipality, the Kenya and Uganda Railways and private enterprise, and from 1944 to December, 1946, additional housing was provided for 4,683 Africans. Further schemes to accommodate 8,540 persons have been approved in principle and are being put in hand.