HC Deb 16 August 1895 vol 36 cc152-3
MR. J. A. PEASE (Northumberland, Tyneside)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs—(1) whether Her Majesty's Government propose to abolish promptly and effectively all slavery in the Islands of Pemba and Zanzibar; and (2) what steps Her Majesty's Government are now taking, or are proposing to take, with a view to the abolition of the status of slavery throughout all British African Protectorates?

MR. THOMAS BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs—(1) if his attention has been called to Sir A. Hardinge's Report, dated Zanzibar, 13th March 1895, where he suggests that no further steps be taken for the immediate abolition of slavery until we have a Report from Mr. Donald Mackenzie, who is acting on behalf of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society; (2) has his attention been called to Mr. Mackenzie's Report, dated 6th May 1895, as referred to by Sir A. Hardinge, where he says that the question of the abolition of slavery in Zanzibar, Pemba, and East Africa should not be allowed to remain any longer in abeyance; and (3) what steps the Government propose taking to abolish the legal status of slavery in East Africa and our African Protectorates?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

My attention has been called to the reports in question, and Her Majesty's Government are aware of the discussion upon slavery in Zanzibar and Pemba which took place in the late Parliament. The subject is receiving their closest attention and they are in communication with Mr. Hardinge as to the measures which it may be found possible to adopt. It is not proposed, and it would be obviously impracticable, to take steps for the total abolition of slavery throughout the vast regions of East, West, and Central Africa which have been placed under British protection. Energetic steps are, however, being taken in those districts to extinguish slave-raiding and to check the abuses to which slavery may give rise.

MR. J. A. PEASE

May I ask whether the Government are prepared to go on with the railway to Kikuyu, on the lakes?

* MR. CURZON

I do not think that that question really arises out of the answer; but I do not mind informing the hon. Gentleman, if he was not present in the House last night, that it was then stated that an estimate was about to be laid on the Table for £20,000 for preliminary expenses connected with the construction of the railway.