§ 21. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether proposals have been received from the Governor of Sierra Leone for dealing with the question of the holding and transfer of slaves in the Protectorate of Sierra Leone?
§ Mr. AMERYAs the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. Cecil Wilson) was informed on the 8th of February, a Bill has been introduced into the Sierra Leone Legislative Council on the subject of slavery in the Protectorate. I do not know whether it has been passed, and I have not yet received a copy. I am not sure what the hon. Member means by the transfer of slaves; but if he means dealing in slaves I have already informed him that it has been prohibited by law for nearly 30 years.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONWill the right hon. Gentleman ask the Governor to send a Report on this matter? It may have been prohibited, but that has not prevented its taking place.
§ Mr. AMERYI am expecting a Report when the Bill to which I have referred has become law in the Colony.