§ MR. BUCHANAN (Perthshire, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the conveyance of labourers from China to Africa, under the Transvaal Labourers' Ordinance, is to be conducted in all cases subject to the provisions of the China Passenger Ships Act of 1855.
§ * MR. LYTTELTONThe Chinese Passengers Act of 1855 and the Ordinance of Hong-Kong No. 1 of 1889 apply to every ship carrying from any port in Hong-Kong and every British ship carrying from any port in China. If in any case embarkation should take place from any ports of ships not within the ambit of those Acts (which is not contemplated) regulations not less protective to the emigrant will be framed.
§ MR. BUCHANANAm I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman gives a promise that the provisions of this Act will apply to labourers imported from China?
§ * MR. LYTTELTONI have answered the Question accurately. I think the hon. Member's Question did not quite recapitulate the effect of my answer. The Act applies to Hong-Kong as regards all ships, and it applies to every British ship carrying from any port in China. It would be practically impossible to get outside the ambit of that Act, but if by any chance that was done regulations would be framed to meet the case.
§ MR. BUCHANANThe other night the right hon. Gentleman quoted this Act and laid stress upon his promise.