asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies how many trade unions have been granted registration according to the provisions of the Sierra Leone trade union Ordinance; what is their approximate membership: how many trade unions have been refused registration; and whether the Sierra Leone Trade Union Congress has been granted registration?

Seven trade unions, with a total approximate membership of 2,800 persons, have been registered under the Sierra Leone trade union Ordinance. No union under the title of "the Sierra Leone Trade Union Congress" has applied for registration. The only union which has been refused registration is a body called the "Sierra Leone Trades Union."

Can the hon. Gentleman say why a refusal was given to that particular body?

If the hon. Member will see me, I will have a talk with him.