§ MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many coloured subjects of the West African dominion have been engaged under contract with the Congo Free State with the knowledge of Her Majesty's representatives in the West African Colonies, and how many have been returned, under the conditions of their contract of service, to the ports whence they had embarked; what was the date of the last engagement of this character made with the knowledge of Her Majesty's representatives; what measures, if any, have been taken regarding the native Sierra Leonese named Porter through whom a number of natives were so engaged in return for a payment by the Belgian authorities of 5s. per head; and, whether he will make inquiry of the Consul at Sierra Leone as to the fate of a Sierra Leonese named John Bull, employed in the Congo State military service under that name, and numbered in the roll and on his medal S. L. 2702.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.During the last eleven years many hundreds of men have been engaged in Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast and Lagos, for service in the Congo State. They have been engaged with the knowledge of the Colonial Governments, and on being returned to their homes have in many cases engaged themselves for further service; but I do not know precisely how many have been engaged, and how many returned. Recruiting for the service of the Congo State was stopped on the Gold Coast in November 1894, in Sierra Leone in December 1895, and in Lagos in March 1896. The last engagement of men in Lagos took place in November last. The recruitment of labourers for the Congo Railway Company, however, has not been stopped. No measures have been taken regarding Mr. Porter, who has not, so far as I am aware, done anything to which exception could be taken. If further particulars are given as to John Bull, inquiry will be made. Such particulars should show when, where, and by whom he was engaged, and what is the last that his friends heard of him.
§ MR. HERBERT LEWISI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the amount of the small fine originally imposed upon Mr. Bannister, the late Vice-Consul at Boma, by the Congo Free State authorities?
MR. CURZONThe fine was 500 francs or £20. It was subsequently remitted by Royal Decree of August 4th, 1894.