– in the House of Commons at on 28 May 1941.
Mr. Creech Jones:
asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what revenue is received by the Fijian Government from the local gold-mining industry; what royalties are paid and to whom; and whether adequate arrangements have been made for the protection, health and welfare of labour?
Mr George Hall
, Merthyr Tydfil Aberdare
The revenue received by the Government of Fiji from the local gold-mining industry was estimated at £53,000 in 1940 and £58,000 in 1941. The bulk of this revenue is from royalty which is fixed at 5 per cent, of the value of the gold and is payable to Government. Statutory provisions have been made for the safety, health and welfare of labour employed in the mines, and the information received from the Colony shows that these provisions are being conscientiously applied.
Mr Benjamin Riley
, Dewsbury
Does the total amount received from the royalties accrue to the inhabitants of the Fiji Islands?
Mr George Hall
, Merthyr Tydfil Aberdare
Yes, Sir.
Sir Francis Fremantle
, St Albans
Is there a proper officer in charge who really understands health and has made a study of it?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
