§ CAPTAIN BETHELL (York, W.R., Holderness)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Arab slave traders on the upper sources of the Congo have been conquered and destroyed, and their two principal towns, Nyangwa and Kasooge, razed to the ground; and, what measures have been or are to be taken by Her Majesty's Consul at Zanzibar to prevent Tippoo Tib, the great slave trader, from carrying on his traffic in slaves?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYIt appears from the reports published in Brussels that the forces of the Congo State have conquered the Arab slave traders and destroyed their towns, but we have no further means of information. Tippoo Tib is now in Zanzibar. There is no reason to believe that he is attempting to engage in the slave trade in any territory under British control.
§ CAPTAIN BETHELLasked whether it would not be possible to get from the 922 authorities of the Congo State information as to whether these towns have really been destroyed?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI understand a Report has already been published stating that they have been destroyed.
§ CAPTAIN BETHELLasked whether that was only a Press report or an official Report.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYIf the hon. Member will give me notice I will see if we have got any further information.