§ 111. Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many of the 500 company chairmen he wrote to in January 1975 has co-operated with his Department in supplying on a regular basis information relating to the wages and conditions of South African workers; and if he will list those from whom such co-operation has not been forthcoming.
§ Mr. MeacherThe exact number of British firms with South African affiliates is uncertain, but at least 100 of the 500 firms approached by my predecessor have satisfied the Department that they no longer operate in South Africa or do not employ Africans. 59 firms have provided information to the Department of Trade. 36 of them have published on the lines requested in the White Paper and the remaining 23 appear to have provided information to shareholders or to have notified them of its availability. I shall be prepared to name the firms which have refused to co-operate, when all the firms concerned have had a reasonable opportunity to reply and a complete list can be compiled.