§ Mr. Harveyasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the result of inquiries recently made as to the rates of payment and conditions of work of African labourers engaged in pyrethrum growing in Kenya?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanThe Governor of Kenya has reported that the wages and conditions of African labour on pyrethrum estates are as follow: On ticket contracts, on which men are employed, wages range from 7s. to 10s. per thirty-day ticket, according to district, for weeding and in some cases picking as well. Picking is mainly done by women, and wages earned depend on work done. Rates range from 10 to 15 cents per "debi" (a four-gallontin), there being 100 cents in a shilling, or else from two-thirds of a cent to one cent per pound of flowers picked. The rates are the same for women and juveniles. Earnings are up to 10s. a month. In addition to money wages, housing and rations are provided, and in most cases land is set aside on which the workers may grow various foodstuffs for consumption and for sale. Pyrethrum work is essentially a "family" occupation, and families earn up to 30s. a month.