§ SIR GEORGE BADEN-POWELLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (1) whether an agreement is under consideration, or has been come to, with the Republic of Liberia which permits the engagement of Kroo labourers free of any poll tax provided that British steamers do not call or touch at any parts of the coast or ports, except such as are declared to be ports of entry by the Liberian. Government; (2) whether the Liberian Government exercises jurisdiction in any or all of the ports of call not made ports of entry; and (3), whether Her Majesty's Government at the mere request of the Liberian Government propose by such an agreement to prevent British steamers trading at ports over which the Liberian Government maintains no effective or other control?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickAn agreement is under consideration, but has not been concluded as regards the engagement of Kroo labourers. The question of ports of entry is also under consideration, but there is no question at issue as to the coast over which the Liberian Government exercises jurisdiction, and the answer to the last question is therefore in the negative.