§ MR. M'ARTHUR (Leicester)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received information from Madagascar that the Slave Trade on the West Coast has been re-opened; whether it is alleged that British subjects are implicated in the traffic; at what distance from the West Coast the nearest Consular authority resides; and, whether the Representatives of Her Majesty in Madagascar have judicial authority enabling them to deal with offenders against the law?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)Grave abuses are said to have occurred recently, practically a slave trade, in connection with the shipment of labourers from the West Coast of Madagascar to Réunion. It is alleged that British subjects, principally belonging to Mauritius, were implicated. Energetic steps have been taken, both by the British and French Governments, to check these abuses. The British Consul, who has judicial authority over British subjects, resides at present at Tamatave. A Vice-Consul is about to be appointed at Majunga, on the West Coast, with sufficient authority.