§ Mr. Ammonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the average number of labourers employed in the tin mines on the Bauchi 448W Plateau in the Northern provinces of Nigeria, and the hours worked per day and the rates of wages paid?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI am informed by the Governor that the average number of workers employed in the tin mines on the Bauchi Plateau during 1938 was 32,593 and that the average hours of work were 45–50 hours a week. The average rates of pay were 3s. 6d. per week for regular company labour, and 3s. 9d. per week for tributers, who are engaged in collecting loads of pay-dirt. In addition, casual labour is provided by pagans, who are mainly agriculturists and who seek work only during the time they are not engaged in farming; they are paid at the rate of 2s. 8d. per week.