§ 86. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of people in the Seychelles employed in the outer islands without wages and solely in return for their shelter and maintenance; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. J. AmeryNone. Everyone employed in the outer islands is employed on a contract which has to be attested by the Labour Officer and which sets out the rate of wage to be paid. Most island managements pay higher wages than the minimum laid down by law.
The Governor has recently returned from a personal visit to eight of the large outlying islands.
He tells me that he was impressed by the good health and the cheerful morale of the island communities.
§ 87. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of registered unemployed in the Seychelles; and what percentage this is of the total employable population.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThere are no registered unemployed in Seychelles and no unemployment registers are kept.
Registration of those seeking employment, mostly in Government service, is carried out by the Labour and Welfare Office.
§ 88. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a commission to inquire into conditions of labour in the Seychelles; and whether he will invite the Trades Union Congress to nominate members to it.
§ Mr. J. AmeryNo. Four major inquiries and six minor inquiries in the economic and social field have been carried out in Seychelles by visiting experts in the last two years.
On the basis of their advice the Seychelles Government has now embarked 33W on a comprehensive development programme, one of the main aims of which is to provide improved employment opportunities and conditions of work for the inhabitants of the Colony.
I am sure that the hon. Member will agree that it is vitally important to the welfare of the Colony, including the workers, that the small Seychelles administration should be allowed to concentrate its energies on carrying out this programme.