§ 4. Colonel DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if there are still any slaves in the Hukawng Valley and, if not, when these slaves were released; if human sacrifice and slavery are still common on the North-East frontier of Burma; and, if so, what steps the British Government propose to take against the offending chiefs who carry on this practice?
§ 7. Mr. RUNCIMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the 3,487 slaves released this week on the North-Eastern frontier of Burma have been set free within the British administration area; and whether the Government at Rangoon has taken any steps to guarantee their freedom?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have so far received no official confirmation of recent Press messages to the effect that all slaves in the Hukawng Valley, to the number of 3,487 have now been released, but have no reason to doubt their accuracy. This area is not within the direct jurisdiction of the Government of India and it is the more satisfactory therefore that the efforts and influence of the Burma Government's officers have apparently achieved success. I have very hope that the arrangements under which the releases were effected will guarantee the freedom of the slaves released, and prevent the recurrence of the institution in this area; and also that the practice of human sacrifice will be successfully suppressed.