§ Mr. Rileyasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can explain the method for the compulsory recruitment of native labourers to work on European farms in Northern Rhodesia; will the regulations provide for age categories; will any distinction be drawn between the liability of married and single men; and will the Government Department concerned have power to fix the rates of wages and hours of labour for this conscripted labour?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanMy Noble Friend is not in possession of this information. The scheme is for a period of two months only; and during that time not more than 600 additional labourers are required. As it is expected that some of these will offer themselves voluntarily the number to be obtained by compulsory methods is therefore very small. The Governor has, however, been asked for a report on these matters.