HC Deb 22 July 1907 vol 178 cc1189-90
MR. CATHCART WASON

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the quantity of cocoa imported into this country from Angola and the Islands of St. Thomé and Principe; and whether, in view of the fact that the said cocoa is produced practically entirely by the slave labour of men, women, and children, and that it has been decided by His Majesty's Government that the mild form of slavery in Zanzibar shall come to an end this year, he will consider the desirability of prohibiting slave-grown produce into this country?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

It is not considered desirable to take any steps in the direction indicated.

MR. BYLES

Is it not the fact that England in concert with other Powers is bound by the Ashburson Treaty, the Berlin Act of 1882, and the Russian Act of 1890, to suppress every kind of slave trade in the interior of Africa, and why are these solemn undertakings ignored?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

asked for notice.

MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that prison-made goods from other countries compete with goods made in this country?

[No Answer was returned.]