Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are being taken to secure co-ordination of work in similar Departments as between Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland in anticipation of closer working or amalgamation; and whether, in view of the increasing demand for Africans as labour supply to South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, and the necessity of a sound economic development policy in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland as well as a united labour policy, steps can be taken now towards united working of the labour departments and officers of the two northern territories?
§ Sir T. InskipThe recent Royal Commission recommended that machinery should be created for the co-ordination of Government services and the framing of plans for joint development between the three territories of Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and Southern Rhodesia; and the question of further co-ordination of services between Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland is necessarily dependent, in the first place, upon a decision as to that recommendation. As my right hon. Friend informed the House on the 7th June in the Debate on the Colonial Office Vote, he is not yet in a position to state the attitude of the Government towards the Royal Commission's recommendations.
1324WAs regards the last part of the question, the Labour Officers appointed by Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland to safeguard the interests of their natives employed in Southern Rhodesia are already working in the closest collaboration, and a single officer will take up duty in Johannesburg in September next to perform similar functions for natives of both territories employed in the Union.