Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he had any official information showing that the suppression of forced labour for revenue purposes and that the restoration of freedom of commerce have actually come into operation in the section of the 179 Congo territory where these changes were due to take place on 1st July last; whether the Kasai Company still continues to compel the natives to furnish rubber; whether the Belgian Government still retains its shareholding in that company, and still benefits from the company's profits on rubber; and if he had satisfied himself that the natives of the Kasai will now be free to enter into commercial relations with any independent European merchants who may elect to open up trading establishments in that region?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first question is in the negative: there has not yet been time to receive reports of the working of changes, which only began on 1st July. I have no information on the second question, but shall receive a report presently. As far as I am aware, the Belgian Government still retains an interest in the Kasai Company. The answer to the last question is that this should be the effect of recent changes, but I cannot answer more definitely till I have a report upon the practical effect.