Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether the recent conscription law of the Gold Coast provides for the conscription of Africans who are British subjects and British protected subjects between the ages of 18 and 45, for combatant service in other territories, in other regions of Africa or overseas; and whether it is intended to operate this Act?
§ Mr. George HallThe Gold Coast Compulsory Service Ordinance, 1941, provides that every male British subject and British protected person and person treated as if he were a British protected person who has attained the age of 18 years and has not attained the age of 45 years and who is ordinarily resident in the Gold Coast shall, unless exempted under the provisions of the Ordinance,
- (a) be liable to combatant service in the defence of the Gold Coast, either in or beyond the Gold Coast;
- (b) if not called up for combatant service be liable to do any work or render any personal service which the Governor may think necessary to order in aid of, or in connection with, the defence of the Gold Coast.
The extent to which it is necessary to use the powers conveyed by this Ordinance will depend on operational considerations. According to information at present available, it has not yet been found necessary to make use of compulsory powers except in order to obtain motor transport drivers.