HC Deb 23 February 1955 vol 537 cc155-6W
59. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what the increase of 128 per cent. and 60 per cent. over 1947 figures in the wages of unskilled labour on 10 estates in Tanganyika and Kenya, respectively, and the increase in Uganda of 115 per cent. over 1949 figures represent in terms of increased income per week to the people concerned in money terms; and what these increases represent in increased cost per cwt. of tea.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The answer to the first part of the Question is given below.

I regret that I have no information on the effect of increases in wage rates for unskilled labour on the total cost of production of a given quantity of tea.

Following is the information:

MONTHLY WAGES (EXCLUDING VALUE OF RATIONS, HOUSING AND WELFARE SERVICES) IN SHILLINGS
(wage rates are calculated on a monthly basis)
— 1947 1949 1954
s. d. s. d. s. d.
Kenya (signing-on rate) 15 0 — 24 0
Uganda (average wage) — 12 0 26 0
Tanganyika (average wage) 10 6 — 24 0

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