HC Deb 15 July 1943 vol 391 cc391-2W
Mr. David Adams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, with the co-operation of the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission, several thousands of Jamaican agricultural labourers are being emigrated to the United States of America to relieve farm labour shortage; and has he considered the desirability of importing West Indian agricultural labourers to this country for similar purposes?

Colonel Stanley

Yes, Sir. The question of bringing labourers from the West Indies to this country has received consideration at various times, and I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 22nd April, 1942. Owing to the wide divergencies between types of agricultural work in the West Indies and in this country, it is doubtful whether the recruitment of West Indians for such work in this country would be justified, but in any case the shortage of shipping at the present time precludes the importation of any considerable number of West Indians into this country either for agricultural work or for unskilled labour.