§ MR. BOURKEasked the Under Seretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any instructions have been sent to the British Consul at Suakin with respect to the treatment of slaves; and, if so, will those instructions be laid before Parliament?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo special instructions have been sent to Mr. Baker; but on March 20 last Lord Granville transmitted to Sir Evelyn Baring for his observations some suggestions connected with the question of slavery from Consul Baker, and the subject is still under consideration.
§ MR. BOURKEIn these instructions is the Consul at Suakin authorized to send back runaway slaves to their masters?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI could not answer that Question offhand, because it involves matters of some difficulty. I shall be willing to inquire.
§ MR. BOURKEWill these general instructions be laid before Parliament?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI did not say they were general instructions. I said Consul Baker made some suggestions which have been referred to Sir Evelyn Baring, and no decision has been come to.
§ MR. BOURKEWill these suggestions be laid before Parliament?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI do not think it will be convenient to produce them separately.