§ Mr. Liddallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will confer with the Department of Overseas Trade to arrange a plan to operate actively a policy designed to increase the export and import trade of Nigeria, as the existing machinery is inadequate for developing the sale of the natural productions of Nigeria, in the British Empire and in foreign countries?
§ Sir T. InskipMy right hon. Friend is in touch with the Department of Overseas Trade on this subject, but broadly speaking it is rather a question of attempting to accelerate the general economic progress of Nigeria than of improving the existing machinery for dealing with export and import trade.
§ Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Bill legalising trade unions in Nigeria, which was introduced into the legislative council early this year, has been passed into law?
§ Sir T. InskipThe Nigeria Trade Union Ordinance was enacted last December and was brought into operation on 1st April, I939.
§ Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the daily output of coal at the Government colliery at Enugu, Nigeria; the number of workers employed underground and on the surface, respectively; and the respective rates of wages?
§ Sir T. InskipI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Government colliery at Enugu. The latest figures available, in respect of the year ended the 31st March, 1938, show that the total tonnage sold during the year was 391,159 tons, obtained in 267 working days, giving an average daily output of approximately 1,465 tons. The number of workers employed underground was 1,894, and the number employed on the surface 528. Of the former, 507 worked as hewers and were paid wages varying during the year from 2s. 11d. —3s. 6.5d. per shift, and the remainder of the underground workers were paid wages varying 2249W from is. 1.5d. —is. 4.5d. per shift; wages paid to surface labour varied from is. to is. 5.2d. per shift during the year.
§ Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what Statute or Statutes are the conditions of employment and rates of wages in Nigeria regulated?
§ Sir T. InskipConditions of labour are regulated by the Labour Ordinance, 1929 (No. 1 of 1929), as amended by Ordinances No. 14 of 1932, No. 17 of 1932, No. 12 of 1933, No. 29of 1933, and No. 39 of 1938, and in so far as matters relating to the health of workers are concerned, by the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 56 of the Revised Edition of the Nigerian Laws. Ordinance No. 17 of 1932 providesinter alia that the Governor may, in certain circumstances, by Order-in-Council fix minimum rates of wages.