asked whether attention has been drawn to the fact that the Portuguese planters are recruiting hinterland Liberian labour for the cocoa farms on the islands of the Gulf of Guinea; whether, in view of the prevalence of sleeping sickness on the island of Principe, the return of such labourers at the conclusion of their contracts might be the means of transporting sleeping sickness to the British Colonies of Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast; and whether it is proposed to take any steps to prevent such a calamity to these British Possessions?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for East Nottingham on 1st January, though I believe that Liberian labour is being recruited for San Thomé, I have no reason to believe that it is being recruited for Principé. As I also stated on the same day, the West African Govenments are taking precautions to prevent the importation of sleeping sickness, and they will continue to do all that is necessary.