§ Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the percentage of unemployment among the workers of Fiji, and why the two yachts recently built for Government service were not constructed locally to relieve unemployment.
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§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is not possible to give percentage figures for unemployment, but the total of unemployed is not serious and present unemployment, which is largely in the building trade, has recently eased due to a large Public Works building programme. The labour force for boat building is small and few suitable craftsmen are available. Only one Government yacht has been built, the order for which was placed outside Fiji in 1956 when local labour was in heavy demand. A second vessel, which is to be used for Public Works Department work and serving the lighthouse, was built in Hong Kong as no facilities exist in the Colony for the construction of its welded steel hull.