§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the conditions under which Chinese coolies are employed in British North Borneo are subject to any pledge given to the Chinese Government to the effect that corporal punishment should not be inflicted upon Chinese coolies; and, if not, will he consider the expediency of securing for these coolies labour rights which will exempt them from flogging.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OP STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Earl PERCY, Kensington, S.)So far as the British North Borneo Company are aware, no pledge has ever been asked for by, or given to, the Chinese Government with regard to the flogging of coolies in British North Borneo.
§ MR. WEIRAre we to understand that there is continual flogging of these poor unfortunate individuals?
§ EARL PERCYI have no information, on the point.
§ EARL PERCYIf the hon. Member can submit any facts calling for inquiry I will make it.