HL Deb 23 June 1988 vol 498 cc918-9

3.9 p.m.

Lord Gisborough asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any evidence that slavery continues to be practised in certain African countries, as alleged in the Sunday Express on 5th June.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)

My Lords, we are aware of reports of continuing slavery in certain African countries. Slavery is among recently reported human rights violations about which we and our European partners are making strong representations.

Lord Gisboroughx

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that Answer. Does he agree that the charge made in the press report is very serious and quite detailed? In view of the approaching 150th anniversary of the Wilberforce Anti-Slavery Society, will he continue to make investigations and strong representations?

Lord Trefgarne

Yes, my Lords, we shall certainly do so, both in our bilateral contacts with countries in Africa and also in multilateral fora such as the United Nations.

Lord Tordoff

My Lords, speaking as one who has not read the report in the Sunday Express, perhaps I may ask the Minister to inform the House whether that newspaper is for slavery or against it?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I invite the noble Lord to look at the cutting in the Library.

Lord Renton

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the exploitation of indigenous peoples, particularly in South America and parts of Africa, causes great anxiety? Does his Answer mean that the Government will support those countries within the United Nations that are trying to overcome that exploitation?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, we have been supportive of the various initiatives in the United Nations which have sought to outlaw and hopefully to put an end to those evil practices.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, successive British Governments, both Labour and Conservative, have always taken the lead in initiatives against the horrid practice of slavery. Will the Minister assure the House that Sir Geoffrey Howe will make representations to ensure that that evil practice is wiped out everywhere, thus maintaining the principle subscribed to by successive British Governments?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I believe that the history of the United Kingdom's opposition to those evil practices, as the noble Lord rightly calls them, is second to none, starting, as we have been reminded, almost 150 years ago.

The Earl of Cork and Orrery

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the Anti-Slavery Society, which I believe was founded by the grandfather of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Wilberforce, is still highly active in the field? Do the Government keep in touch with that society, which can provide them with an enormous amount of information on the deplorable practice of slavery?

Lord Trefgarne

Yes, my Lords, we are in touch with all relevant organisations and we provide what help we can.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the Abolition of Slavery Society reported to the United Nations that in parts of the Sudan small children have been bought and sold for £ 10? Have the Government heard of that and what steps are they taking to abolish that abominable practice?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, we have seen the reports to which the noble Lord refers. However, I cannot offer any independent confirmation of them. We make appropriate representations on a bilateral and multilateral basis.

Lord Gisborough

My Lords, where slavery is proved and where governments are not taking action against it, does the Minister advocate collective international pressure against such countries?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I am reluctant to answer a hypothetical question of the kind which has been put to me by my noble friend. However, as I said earlier, I believe that our reputation will withstand any scrutiny.