MR. J. PEASE (Northumberland, Tyneside)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government has received any information as to the extensive Slave Trade now carried on between African ports in the Red Sea and the ports in the Yemen; what steps, if any, are being taken by British authorities in Aden, or elsewhere, for the repression of this contraband traffic; and whether Papers relating to the Red Sea Slave Trade since 1890 will be laid upon the Table of the House?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickInformation relating to the Slave Trade in the Red Sea since 1890 has been laid before the House in Lord Cromer's Annual Reports contained in Egypt No. 3 of 1892, No. 3 of 1893, and No. 1 of 1891. There is no reason to suppose that the trade is extensive. The British Authorities at Aden have no control over the routes which the trade would follow, but Her Majesty's cruisers keep a constant watch in the Gulf of Aden, and Her Majesty's Consular Officers on the Arabian Coast are in communication with them and the authorities, both local and Egyptian. The Camel Corps organised by the Egyptian Government has worked effectively, and is reported to have almost completely stopped shipments for Arabia from the North of Suakim.
MR. J. PEASEMay I ask the hon. Baronet if be will inquire from the authorities at Aden with a view to considering what can be done, in conjunction with the Turkish Authorities, to prevent this contraband traffic; and is the hon. Gentleman aware that dhows engaged in this traffic fly the Italian flag?
§ SIR E. GREYI will inquire into the matter.