Oral Answers to Questions — Kenya – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 February 1954.
Mr John Hynd
, Sheffield, Attercliffe
12:00,
24 February 1954
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present selling price of Kenya sisal; and what is the present rate of African wages on the sisal plantations.
Mr Oliver Lyttelton
, Aldershot
The price in London varies between £71 and £100 per ton c.i.f. according to quality. Of this, about £12 is the cost of freight and insurance. The lowest wage paid on the sisal estates is 60s. per month with free rations, housing, medical attention and welfare, together with bonuses for extra work performed.
Mr John Hynd
, Sheffield, Attercliffe
Does the 60s. include the additional amenities or not?
Mr Oliver Lyttelton
, Aldershot
The 60s. is the cash.
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.
