HC Deb 01 December 1948 vol 458 c176W
51. Mr. Morley

asked the Minister of Food what is the rate of wages paid to the native workers engaged in the groundnut scheme in Tanganyika.

Dr. Summerskill

The responsibility for providing this information rests with the Overseas Food Corporation. I have, therefore, passed my hon. Friend's inquiry to the Corporation, who are, I understand, communicating with him.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Overseas Food Corporation propose to recruit a uniformed police force of their own for service with the groundnut scheme in Tanganyika; and, since the police duties of the territory are the concern of the Government of Tanganyika, for what reason a private police force is to be set up by the Corporation.

Mr. Strachey

The Overseas Food Corporation have been empowered under ordinance by the Tanganyika Government to create an auxiliary police force to protect its interest and its personnel within the development areas. The regular police force of the territory is not large enough to provide the increased services required. As regards the second part of the Question, the Overseas Food Corporation Security Department is not a private police force, the chief officer being responsible to the Commissioner of Police and to the Governor of the Territory.