§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can yet put the House in possession of a summary of the information regarding the actual position of the African Slave Trade, which the Foreign Office has obtained from its various Consuls and other British authorities, whether as regards Africa in general or Eastern Africa in particular? The hon. Gentleman also asked whether the statement that a communication had been received from the French Government denying that they had given a right to search for slaves was authentic?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)As I stated, in reply to the hon. Member on the 9th of August, all the information on the subject of the Slave Trade which is possessed by the Foreign Office is presented in an Annual Report; but a Blue Book, with recent particulars, is in preparation, and is expected to be presented shortly. With regard to the supplementary Question of the hon. Member, I will only say that I laid on the Table last night Papers showing the position of Her Majesty's Government on the coast of Zanzibar with reference to the proceedings in connection with putting down the Slave Trade; and these will be in the hands of Members, I believe, in a day or two.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLgave Notice that, on the African Vote, he would call attention to the want of sufficient information in the possession of Members on this subject.