8. Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government in Great Britain have taken any special steps in recent months to prevent the shipping of slaves from the African to the Asiatic coast in the Red Sea?
Mr. A. HENDERSONAs I informed the Noble Lord the Member for East Norfolk (Viscount Elmley) on the 8th December last, two of His Majesty's sloops are regularly stationed in the Red Sea to prevent the traffic in slaves from Africa to Arabia. Apart from this arrangement, no special steps have been taken in recent months, but the question is at present under consideration.
Earl WINTERTONHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the evidence which has been collected by Lady Simon and others to the effect that this traffic, rather than decreasing, is increasing, and will he consider adding to the number of patrol ships in the Red Sea at least one other in order to prevent this?
Mr. HENDERSONI cannot commit myself at the moment to add to the number. As I have already stated the matter is under consideration; in fact, a committee is sitting on the question at present in my Department.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the proposal to use seaplanes to supplement the patrol received further consideration?
§ Commander BELLAIRSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether other nations are co-operating with us in preventing this slave traffic?
Mr. HENDERSONThat question was put to me as a supplementary question some time ago, and I asked for notice of the question. Advantage has not been taken of that. I repeat it now: if a question is put down, I will get the information.