§ 3. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is a fact that slave owning and slave trading is still of a widespread nature in Abyssinia; and will he instruct the British representative in Abyssinia to acquaint all British nationals that trading in slaves is a punishable offence under British law whether committed in this country or abroad?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe status of slavery is recognised by Abyssinian law. Slave trading is declared illegal by edict, but continues surreptitiously, especially in the provinces furthest from the capital. I do not consider it necessary to issue special instructions to His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa.