HC Deb 28 August 1893 vol 16 cc1207-8
MR. SNAPE (Lancashire, S.E., Hey-wood)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the 13 slaves stated, in the Paper presented to the House relating to the Slave Trade in Bengazi (Africa, No. 7, 1893), to have been clandestinely placed upon the Ottoman steamer Bahu Jedid, were released by Consul General Holm-wood during the detention of that steamer at Clazomenæ; whether he is aware that the Slave Trade is being diverted from Zanzibar to Bengazi, and that great cruelty and loss of life occurs in bringing slaves to the latter port from Wadai and other places in the interior; and whether the export of slaves by Ottoman steamers is a violation of the Treaty engagements of the Ottoman Empire; and, if so, whether he will require those engagements to be rigidly enforced at Bengazi as well as elsewhere? At the same time, I will ask the hon. Baronet whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the Reports on the Slave Trade in Tripoli received from the British Consul at Bengazi in 1887, 1890, 1891, and 1892?

*SIR E. GREY

Her Majesty's Consul General at Smyrna made representations to the authorities, and was informed by them that only eight negroes were on board the steamer on its arrival at Smyrna, and that they were all in possession of certificates of manumission. In answer to paragraph 2, I have to say that the information we possess will be found in the Reports which will be laid on the Table. No legitimate opportunity is lost of bringing to the notice of the Ottoman Government any breaches of their regulations and of their engagements prohibiting the export of slaves, of which Her Majesty's Consuls become aware. In regard to the last question, I have to say that these Reports will be laid, except those for 1887, which will be found in Slave Trade, No. 1, of 1888.

MR. SNAPE:

The Paper presented to the House spoke of 13 slaves, and the reply to my question only mentions eight slaves. Can the hon. Baronet say what became of the other five?

*SIR E. GREY

We telegraphed for information in connection with the hon. Member's question, and the reply only mentions eight slaves as having been found on board. We must await the arrival of the Report for fuller information. The difference in number will be inquired into.