HC Deb 11 July 1923 vol 166 cc1323-5
5. Mr. CHARLES ROBERTS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that at the council meeting of the League of Nations held this month the statement was made that the information upon slavery which had been collected by the council from States members of the League was not adequate to provide the basis of a sufficiently complete report; and whether, seeing that it is common knowledge that His Majesty's Government possesses considerable information upon slavery in certain African territories, His Majesty's Government will be prepared to assist the League in the task of attempting to secure the abolition of slavery in all its forms by placing at the disposal of the council portions of the information it possesses upon conditions which will ensure that the efforts of the League to secure the abolition of slavery will not be rendered abortive?

Mr. McNEILL

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the 25th of June.

6. Mr. ROBERTS

also asked the Under-Secretary of State, for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there are in this country at the present time several ex-British Consuls and Vice-Consuls who have occupied official positions in Abyssinia: and whether, in pursuance of our national obligations to do all in our power to put an end to slavery in Africa in all its forms, His Majesty's Government is prepared to suggest to the League of Nations the advisability of inviting these gentlemen to give evidence before the Commission which will consider the question of slavery in September next?

Mr. McNEILL

His Majesty's Government have always fulfilled, and will continue to fulfil, their obligations in relation to slavery and the slave trade, but these do not include any obligation to interfere in the internal affairs of Abyssinia, which is an independent and friendly State; nor are His Majesty's Government prepared to make suggestions to the League of Nations of the nature indicated in the question.

Mr. ROBERTS

Is it not the case that we did undertake to use our influence as well as our authority in such cases?

Mr. McNEILL

I think that if the hon. Member will go into the documents in which our obligations are embodied, he will find that my answer is strictly accurate.

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Is it not possible for the Foreign Office to take some action through the League of Nations?

Mr. McNEILL

That, if I may say so, would be the same question in other words.

Captain BERKELEY

Is it not the case that application has been made for this information, and, if that be so, will not the hon. Gentleman consider affording it in as ample a manner as possible?

Mr. McNEILL

If the hon. and gallant Member will refer to the answer I have just given to the question on the Paper, he will see that that question has been already answered more than once.

Mr. ROBERTS

Have we not constantly, on previous occasions, used our influence with sovereign nations?

Mr. McNEILL

That may or may not be the case, but it does not alter the facts of the present case.

7. Mr. ROBERTS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that in Consular Reports and the Report of the Maji Commission referring to slavery to Abyssinia there is evidence that many of the slaves in the slave gangs brought into Abyssinia were raided from British territory forming part of the Colony of Kenya, he will say what steps, if any, have been taken by His Majesty's Government to secure the liberty and restoration of these slaves to British territory?

Mr. McNEILL

I regret that I am unable to answer this inquiry unless the hon. Member can refer me to the specific reports and passages in reports which he has in mind.

Mr. ROBERTS

May I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Report of he Maji Commission, which undoubtedly does contain statements as to slaves being raided from British territory into Abyssinia?

Mr. McNEILL

Perhaps the hon. Member will, as I have said in my answer, refer me to the passages in the Reports.

Mr. ROBERTS

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the passage which has been quoted from that Report in the pages of the "Times."