HC Deb 06 May 1890 vol 344 cc255-6
MR. ALFRED PEASE (York)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is true that the survivors of the slaves with which the Stanley Expedition was manned, and which were originally hired from Arab and other owners at Zanzibar, have been handed over to their original owners, and returned into slavery at Zanzibar; and whether it is a fact that the wages they earned on the Expedition have been appropriated by their owners? I also wish to know whether the attention of the Government has been directed to certain telegrams that have appeared in the Times newspaper, from Zanzibar, more especially one dated 29th April, in the Times issue of 30th April, in which the following statement occurred:— A German steamer sailed to-day for the Congo with 400 mixed slaves and freemen, recruited here for the Congo Railway; whether Her Majesty's Government have any information, confirmatory or otherwise, with regard to the allegations that numbers of slaves are being shipped from time to time from Zanzibar to the Congo State, to supply labour for the construction of the Congo Railway; and whether he has any information to show that the export of slaves from Zanzibar, whether as slaves or under the colour of engages has greatly stimulated the Slave Trade in the Lake districts?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

We have been informed by Her Majesty's Consul General in Zanzibar that the steamer in question sailed after an inquiry had been held on board by the German Authorities on the East Coast. It is understood that the Zanzibar Government is in communication with the Congo Government on the subject. No information has reached the Foreign Office to the effect stated in the last paragraph of the question. Her Majesty's Government are informed that the engagement of these persons is perfectly free on their part. It would be preferable from our point of view that they should take service with the East African Company at Mombasa, but they elect to go to the Congo, and it is possible that the liberality shown to the porters of the Emin Relief Expedition have influenced them in their choice.

MR. A. E. PEASE

Is it the fact that the slaves were returned to their masters at a date subsequent to the decree of November, which declared all slaves free, entering or returning into the territory of the Sultan?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

The hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. I did not say that the slaves were returned to their masters, but that they voluntarily went back. The Relief Committee had nothing to do with the matter at all. The men voluntarily engaged themselves, and when their service was ended they returned.

MR. A. E. PEASE

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of the hon. Member's question, namely, whether the export of slaves from Zanzibar, whether as slaves or under the colour of engages, has not greatly stimulated the Slave Trade in the Lake Districts?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

I have stated that no information of the kind has reached Her Majesty's Government.