2. Mr. GeorgeCraddock asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the resolution adopted by the Kenya Federation of Registered Trade Unions, a copy of which has been sent to him, calling for immediate steps to meet the recent increases in the prices of tea, bread and biscuits; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have not yet received a copy of the resolution. The price of tea has fallen by 6d. per lb. since the resolution was passed. The general rise in the cost of living was taken into account in recalculating statutory minimum urban wages, and wage increases varying from 6d. to 7s. a month came into force on 1st May.
§ 3. Mr. George Craddockasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the resolution adopted by the Kenya Federation of Registered Trade Unions, a copy of which has been sent to him, protesting against the raising of rents in Nairobi by 100 per cent. in less than a year; and if he will institute the independent inquiry into building costs called for by the Federation.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have not yet received a copy of the resolution referred to. Most African housing in Nairobi is owned by the city council. They now charge full economic rents and there has been a sharp increase in building costs. Consequently rents of council housing120W have risen by between 77 per cent. and 100 per cent.; but the housing element in the minimum wage is now the same as the rent charged by the council for a bed space.
I do not therefore consider that an independent inquiry is called for, particularly as the Government of Kenya are already considering, in consultation with the city council, a scheme to provide modern but cheaper housing in Nairobi at lower rents for 20,000 Africans.