§ Mr. HEWINSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely Whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made in the Press to-day that a British-Canadian is being held in a state of slavery on a plantation on the borders of Paraguay and Brazil; that he has made two attempts to escape, but was on each occasion recaptured and flogged; whether these statements correctly represent the facts; and what steps His Majesty's Government are taking in the matter in order to protect the King's subjects?
§ Sir E. GREYThe report that has appeared in the Press has been sent me. I have telegraphed to the British Chargè d'Affaires at Buenos Aires to report the facts by telegraph, and am awaiting his reply. The question of what steps it would be possible or justifiable to take depends, of course, upon what are the facts.
§ Mr. HEWINSWill the right hon. Gentleman make a further statement on the subject?
§ Sir E. GREYWhen I get the facts I will make them known at the earliest opportunity.