HC Deb 12 November 1930 vol 244 cc1642-4
2. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he intends to furnish to the League of Nations the information in possession of the Government respecting the present general position in regard to slavery, in accordance with the resolution passed by the Eleventh Assembly of the League of Nations?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

This matter will be carefully considered, but I am not yet able to state what action His Majesty's Government will take on the resolution of the Assembly.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Does the right hon. Gentleman include in his consideration of this matter the question of slave labour in Russia?

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Mander—

Mr. WILLIAMS

May I have an answer to my question, or shall I raise it on the Adjournment?

Mr. SPEAKER

Mr. Mander—

Mr. WILLIAMS

On a point of Order. May I say, as the right hon. Gentleman is unable to give me an answer, that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at an early date?

Mr. MACLEAN

Is the hon. Member for Torquay (Mr. C. Williams) entitled to give notice to raise a matter on the Adjournment upon a supplementary question which has nothing whatever to do with the original question?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

It is too funny for words.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member can raise any question he likes on the Motion for the Adjournment.

Mr. MACLEAN

I quite understand that an hon. Member can raise anything he likes on the Adjournment, but I would like to ask is it in order for an hon. Member, in putting a supplementary question which has no connection with the original question on the Paper, to give notice that he will raise that question on the Motion for the Adjournment and thus take up the time of the House?

Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

The hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) himself has been taking up the time of the House.

6. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what nations are not parties to the Anti-Slavery Convention of 1926; and with reference to Article 4 that the high contracting parties shall give to one another every assistance with the object of securing the abolition of slavery and the slave trade, whether any endeavour has been made by this country separately, or in association with other countries, to secure the adhesion of countries where slavery is known to exist?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

Twenty-four countries have not yet signed the AntiSlavery Convention of 1926, and 12 countries have signed or otherwise acceded, but have not yet ratified. I am circulating the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 5th of November to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. White).

Commander BELLAIRS

May I presume that Russia is among the countries that have not signed?

Mr. HENDERSON

The hon. and gallant Member will get the list.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the five-year-plan which has condemned the bulk of the Russian people to penal servitude for five years?

Mr. HENDERSON

I do not think that this matter has to do with any year plan.

Following are the names:

Countries who have neither signed nor acceded to the Convention.
Afghanistan. Lichtenstein.
Argentine Republic. Luxemburg.
Mexico.
Bolivia. Paraguay.
Brazil. Peru.
Chile. Salvador.
Costa Rica. San Merion.
Free City of Danzig. Siam.
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Guatemala.
Hejaz.
Honduras. Switzerland.
Iceland. Turkey.
Japan. Venezuela.

Countries who have signed or acceded to, but have not yet ratified, the Convention.
Abyssinia. France.
Albania. Lithuania.
China. Panama.
Colombia. Persia.
Cuba. Rumania.
Dominican Republic. Uruguay.