§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of increasing British consular representation in the province of Angola, in order to watch the methods by which native labour is obtained?
§ Sir E. GREYUnder the new Regulations the recruiting area is very much restricted, and a Consul at Loanda and a Vice-Consul at Lobito will probably be sufficient to supply full information. But the matter will be considered in consultation with the Consul.
§ Mr. REESWas it in consequence of any representations made by His Majesty's Government that these steps have been taken?
§ Sir E. GREYI have explained in my answer how it came about.
Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will obtain particulars as to the working of the new regulations for the recruitment of labourers from Angola for the plantations of San Thomé and Principé; and whether they are effectual in preventing slave dealing?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Consul at Loanda has already been instructed to 193 keep His Majesty's Government fully informed respecting the working of the new regulations.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked whether the system of imported native contract labour exists in San Thomé and Principé; if so, what action this Government had taken, or was taking, by representation to the Portuguese Government concerning a system publicly acknowledged by importers of cocoa into this country as a system of slavery; and whether the Portuguese Government had given any promise or guarantee of a reform of this slave traffic?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is not, however, on the islands but in the system of recruiting on the mainland that abuses chiefly occurred. With regard to this question, the Portuguese Government suspended all recruiting for a time, pending the enforcement of new regulations with a view to the removal of abuses. Recruiting is at first to be allowed only in certain restricted zones. They have also appointed a special commissioner to superintend in Angola the execution of the regulations. It is too early as yet to know the working of these measures, but the Portuguese Government have expressed their intention of carrying through these reforms and dealing severely with any cases of irregularity.
§ Sir E. GREYYes; I understand the regulations have been published.
§ Mr. REESIs it owing to the fact that the cocoa produced under this system is consumed chiefly in this country that the Government was concerned to make representations to the Government of Portugal?
§ Sir E. GREYThere have been old treaties between the two countries with regard to the suppression of the slave trade.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked how many services or contracted labourers were imported into San Thomé and Principé in the years 1900, 1905, and 1909?
§ Sir E. GREYI have not sufficient information to enable me to reply to the question.
§ Sir E. GREYI am not certain that I can.
§ Sir E. GREYI will see.