72. Mr. R. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to indicate the steps which the Government is taking to implement the Penal Sanctions (Indigenous Workers) Convention of 1939; the extent to which penal sanctions for breach of contract have been abolished since November, 1953; the territories in which they are still applied; and the penalties which are imposed.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydHer Majesty's Government obtain reports annually from the Governments which still retain penal sanctions, and are satisfied that they have gone as far and as fast in abolishing them as local conditions permit.
Since November, 1953, legislation has been passed in a number of territories repealing provisions which were in practice already in abeyance. In Kenya and Tanganyika, Bills are before the Legislatures which would bring the law into conformity with the Convention. Penal sanctions are still applied in British Honduras, Northern Rhodesia and Swaziland, and also in Southern Rhodesia. The penalties which may be imposed are fine or imprisonment.