HC Deb 04 June 1894 vol 25 cc285-6
MR. J. A. PEASE (Northumberland, Tyneside)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the shipment of slaves from Portuguese territories in West Africa to the Islands of San Thomè and Principè; whether the shipment of such slaves is in contravention of the General Act of the Brussels Conference to which Portugal affixed her signature; and whether steps will be taken to put a stop to this practice?

SIR E. GREY

Slavery is abolished in the Colony of Angola, and in the Islands of San Thomè and Principe. If in spite of this there were a slave traffic, of which we have no knowledge, the slaves would become free when landed in the islands.

MR. J. A. PEASE

Will the hon. Baronet make inquiries?

SIR E. GREY

I think if the hon. Member has any information to give on these points, he might communicate it to the Foreign Office, who would then look into the matter.