SIR FOWELL BUXTONsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the Sultan of Zanzibar has lately offered to make any arrangements for the suppression of the Slave Trade between that island and the mainland; if any conditions were attached to his offer; and, if it has or has not been accepted by Her Majesty's Government; and, if not, for what reasons?
LORD STANLEYsaid, in reply, that if the hon. Member would refer to the State Papers published this year, pp. 112–114, he would find a full statement of the offer which had been made by the Sultan of Zanzibar, and of the conditions that accompanied them. Those proposals were still under consideration. Her Majesty's Government were fully aware of the desirableness of that offer, having in view the suppression of the Slave Trade. There were several questions, partly of policy and partly of good faith, to which it was impossible to shut their eyes, and which would, therefore, receive due attention at the India Office. A reference had been made of the whole question to the Government in India, but no answer had yet been received.