§ 65. Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many persons normally resident in or natives of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland are known to have undertaken contracts to work on farms within the Union of South Africa in each month since a state of emergency was proclaimed.
§ Mr. SandysI have asked our High Commissioner to send me such figures as are available. When I receive them, will write to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Marquandasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to what extent representatives of the United Kingdom High Commissioner regularly visit farms within the Union of South Africa on which British-protected persons 312W are known to be working, in order to ensure that conditions of employment, housing and payment are satisfactory; and on how many occasions since April, 1960, representations on such matters have been made to the appropriate authorities within the Union.
§ Mr. SandysThe High Commissioner has a standing arrangement with the Union Government whereby his officers may visit any farm in the Union on which Africans from the High Commission Territories are employed. It would not be practicable to make regular visits to these farms. The High Commissioner has had no occasion since April, 1960, to make representations to the Union authorities about the conditions of employment of Territories Africans on farms in the Union.