§ Mr. Pargiterasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the calorific content of the food ration valued at 4d. a day allotted to agricultural labourers in Nyasaland; and what is the number of industrial firms who provide a free midday meal without a deduction from pay.
§ Mr. Profumo, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd August, 1957; Vol. 574, c. 281], supplied the following information—
As employers of agricultural labourers in Nyasaland do not now exercise their option to supply "proper and sufficient food" under the statutory regulations they do not, in fact, make a deduction of 4d. a day from their labourers' wages. The question of the calorific content of such a food ration valued at 4d. a day therefore does not arise. In the circumstances prevailing since the increase in minimum wages on 1st July, 1957, only one industrial firm provides a free midday meal without deduction from pay.