§ 50. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has seen the suggestion made by Mr. Couper before the Native Labour Commission that, in order to get forced labour and at the same time get round the difficulty which might be made by the Colonial Office, he would suggest that the forcing of the natives to work be termed forced education; and whether he will watch in future the educational proposals of the East African Government, with a view to preventing the introduction of slavery under any such term?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on the 7th of May.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in regard to the latter part of the question, whether he will "watch in future the educational proposals of the East African Government, with a view to preventing the introduction of slavery under any such term?"
§ Mr. HARCOURTI shall certainly watch the educational proposals, and take care that in their being carried into effect there shall be no forced labour of any kind.
§ 51. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the evidence of Mr. J. Boyes before the Native Labour Commission to the effect that natives were deteriorating through not being made to work, and suggesting that the District Commissioners should be able to order the natives to work and should be empowered to give twenty-live lashes if they refused to work; and will he say whether this gentleman holds any official position in East Africa?
§ Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir. The gentleman in question does not hold any official position.