§ SIR T. F. BUXTONsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, If his attention has been drawn to the opinions expressed by Commander Latham (Slave Trade Papers A, 1867, No. 79); Commander Purvis (No. 84); Captain Bedingfield (No. 90); and by Consul and Political Agent Seward (Slave Trade Papers B, No. 216) in favour of an alteration in the cruising ground of Her Majesty's Ships (with a view to the more effective prevention of the slave trade on the East Coast of Africa); whether it is proposed to make any such change; and, if the Returns of Slavers captured in 1866 will before long be laid upon the table?
MR. CORRYsaid, in reply, that the recommendations of Commander Latham and Commander Purvis had been approved by Commodore Hillyard, and had been already carried into effect so far as circumstances would admit. Mr. Seward's recommendation was that they should occupy an island between Locatra and the main land as a coal depôt, and as a place for receiving captured slaves; but Commodore Hillyard reported that the island would require a strong garrison to protect it from warlike natives; that it was a mere rock, and that the water was bad and unfit for use; and therefore it was not the intention to act on that recommendation. The Returns to which the hon. Baronet referred were laid on the table last Tuesday, both as regarded the East and West Coasts of Africa.