HC Deb 05 July 1906 vol 160 cc229-30
SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to allegations of slavery carried on in the islands of St. Thomé and Principé, on the West Coast of Africa; and what steps he purposes to take to direct the attention of the Portuguese Government to the alleged practices.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The attention of the Portuguese Government has from time to time been called to the conditions under which labour is obtained for the islands of St. Thomé and Principé. Mr. Nightingale, His Majesty's Consul for the Congo, recently paid a visit to the islands referred to for the purpose of enquiring into the matter, and a Report from him on the subject is expected shortly.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Will the Report be laid on the Table of the House?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I must see it before I can decide that.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to allegations that slave trade is carried on in the cocoa plantations in the islands of St. Thomé and Principé, under the dominion of the Portuguese Government; is he aware that the produce of these islands is chiefly cocoa, which is almost entirely purchased by British merchants; and what steps does he propose taking in the matter.

THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RUNCIMAN,) Dewsbury

Cocoa is no doubt one of the principal products of the islands, and is largely purchased by British merchants. I do not see that any steps can be taken respecting purchases of cocoa by British merchants.