§ MR. FELLI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the loss of life that occurred at the Isthmus of Panama during the construction of the works by the original French company among the labourers recruited from Jamaica and the other West Indian islands; and whether, under the circumstances, the Colonial Office will recommend that the greatest circumspection should be employed with regard to any contracts or attempts to recruit labourers from any of our Colonies for the new Panama Canal works.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State has every reason to believe that the Governors of the various West Indian Colonies are acquainted with the past 796 history of the works on the Isthmus of Panama, and that they are alive to the exigencies of the present situation. A copy of the hon. Member's Question, and of my reply, will be forwarded to the Governors.