Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since 20th December six steamers, flying the Belgian flag, had arrived at Antwerp from the Congo with 594 tons of rubber on board of a value of £400,000 sterling, shipped by the Belgian Administration as the product of the forced labour taxes still imposed by its officials upon the Natives of that country; and if he has had any communications on the matter, official or otherwise?
The UNDER-SECRETARY for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)I have not as yet received any information as to the shipments referred to in the question, but will make inquiry. We have made inquiry as to the 1909 shipments prior to 20th December.