LIBERIA (LABOUR CONDITIONS). (Hansard, 18 February 1931)

7. Earl WINTERTON
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any further representations have been made by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain to the Government of the Republic of Liberia in regard to the recent report of the Commission of the League of Nations on labour conditions in that country?

Mr. A. HENDERSON
As I informed the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Stafford (Mr. Ormsby-Gore) on 28th January, the Council of the League of Nations decided last month to set up a committee to examine how administrative assistance can best be rendered to the Liberian Government in accordance with the recommendations of the recent Commission of Inquiry. This committee, of which I am chairman, will meet on Thursday, 26th February, at the Foreign Office. No further representations to the Liberian Government are necessary at present.

Earl WINTERTON
Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps, as the representative of this country in foreign affairs, to ascertain from the Liberian Government whether they are willing to allow this change for the better in their constitution

Mr. HENDERSON
I think the Noble Lord must be aware that the inquiry was invited by the Liberian Government. 1223 At the recent meeting of the Council of the League the representative of the Liberian Government was present during the whole of the discussion of this question, and he attended the first meeting of the committee which was set up, and over which I had the honour to preside.

Earl WINTERTON
Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the Liberian Government will accept the proposal?

Mr. HENDERSON
I think the mere fact that they were present and agreed to the committee being appointed, is evidence of a desire on their part to assist in every way possible.

§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORE
Will any representative of the State Department of the United States of America attend the committee over which the right hon. Gentleman is presiding?

Mr. HENDERSON
By a decision of the committee itself, the United States Government were invited to send a representative and we are hopeful that a representative will be present at the meetings of the committee.