§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Attorney General whether he has observed that several British subjects connected with the Emin Relief Expedition have admitted that they bought slaves in Africa, and that they flogged and killed the inhabitants of uncivilised countries in that continent; and whether it is intended to render them responsible to the laws which punish British subjects committing either of these offences?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir R. WEBSTER, Isle of Wight)I do not know to what British subjects or to what admissions the hon. Member particularly refers, but, so far as I know, there are no persons now within British jurisdiction who have admitted the commission of any of the offences referred to in the question. I need not remind the hon. Member that if any such offences can be proved the intervention of the Government is not necessary.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREMay I ask whether, in the case of gentlemen who are under British jurisdiction, who have admitted that they have killed or bought slaves, the hon. Gentleman will instruct the Public Prosecutor to prosecute? The hon. Gentleman says that anyone can prosecute, but what is everybody's business is nobody's business.
§ SIR R. WEBSTERAny statement made on the authority of the hon. Member I shall look into carefully, and have it fully inquired into. It is impossible, without knowing the authority for the statements, that I can undertake to prosecute. Admissions are not proof, and they must be supported by proper proof before a prosecution can be undertaken.
§ In answer to Mr. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM,
§ SIR R. WEBSTERsaid these gentlemen had no commission whatever from Her Majesty's Government.