§ Mr. MANDERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in what territories within the British Empire there still exists slavery or forced labour?
§ Dr. SHIELSSlavery does not exist in any parts of the British Empire which are administered under the authority of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Compulsory labour of various kinds and in varying degrees can be exacted by law or by native custom in the following Colonies and Protectorates with the affairs of which the Secretary of State for the Colonies is concerned:—
and in all the Colonies and Protectorates in West, East and Central Africa, except Somaliland. In certain cases the labour demanded can be commuted by the payment of a tax, and in others money taxes are voluntarily commutable by labour.
- Ceylon.
- Cyprus.
- Fiji and various Islands in the Western Pacific High Commission.
- Montserrat and the Virgin Islands,
- The States of North Borneo and Sarawak,