HC Deb 06 August 1913 vol 56 cc1458-9
8. Mr. HOARE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to state whether the Portuguese Government are taking a census of labourers on the island of San Thomé?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)

I have not heard that the Portuguese Government have yet taken a census of the labourers, but I will make inquiry on the subject.

9. Mr. HOARE

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Consul Small-bones has taken any further action since the Foreign Office Vote Debate in the direction of identifying any British subjects, who may be among the contract labourers in San Thomé; and, if so, what are the results of his inquiries?

Mr. ACLAND

The Vice-Consul has been in Fernando Po since the end of May and has not yet been able to continue his inquiries as to the presence of British subjects among the labourers in San Thomé.

Mr. HOARE

Can the hon. Gentleman add to the information which he has already given to the House on the subject?

Mr. ACLAND

I think the Vice-Consul will be going back shortly, and although it is a matter of very great difficulty to obtain information on this matter, yet the Vice-Consul is quite aware that we are interested in the matter, and he will pursue his inquiries as soon as he returns.

10. Mr. HOARE

asked how many contract labourers have been repatriated from San Thomé and Principé since February; how many have received any bonus; and to what amount?

Mr. ACLAND

During March 234 labourers were repatriated from San Thomé and twenty-one from Principé, and in April 359 were repatriated from San Thomé. I have not yet received any further statistics as to repatriation nor any information as to the bonuses paid to the men, but His Majesty's Consul at Loanda has been instructed to make inquiries on this point.

Mr. HOARE

Are the labourers being repatriated to the full extent of the carrying power of the ships?

Mr. ACLAND

That I do not know, and I do not think we could possibly make a demand of that kind, but I do know that in the case of the numbers of labourers whose time expires they roust be repatriated to the full capacity of the ships which happen to call.

Mr. HOARE

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that all those whose time has expired are being repatriated?

Mr. ACLAND

That is quite another question.

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