§ MR. A. E. PEASE (York)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is aware that large numbers of slaves are being exported from Tulliar Bay, on the South-West Coast of Madagascar, to Réunion, and that the French traders at Tolia (Tulliar Bay) send commission agents into the interior to purchase slaves, who undergo cruel treatment at the hands of the Bara natives who capture them, and also at Norsi Vey (South-West Madagascar), where they are sent to work in irons, whilst awaiting shipment to Réunion; and, whether he is aware that a British brig, The Town of Liverpool, is engaged in this trade, and if any steps are being taken to suppress the traffic by Her Majesty's Government; and, if not, whether he will cause inquiries to be made, with the view of preventing any British vessels from engaging in this trade, and of making such representations to the French Government as may induce them to co-operate in the suppression of this traffic?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)Reports to this effect have been received, as I stated in substance in my reply of the 11th to the hon. Member for Leicester (Mr. M'Arthur). Instructions were at once sent to the British Naval Consular and Colonial officers, with a view to the suppression of the traffic, and the cooperation of the French Government was secured. I was in error in stating on Friday that the Vice Consul about to be appointed on the West Coast will have judicial powers; but he will watch and report any irregularities to the Consul and to the Commanders of Her Majesty's ships.