HC Deb 21 June 1910 vol 18 cc177-8
Sir CHARLES DILKE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had any information as to the Belgian Government's proclaimed intention of laying down 5,000 hectares of State rubber plantations yearly in the Congo territory; whether His Majesty's Consuls may be expected to report upon the methods of securing labour for these plantations; and if he had information to the effect that labour was being forcibly provided for such plantations in the Bongandanga district or A.B.I.R. territory?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)

I believe that the intention of the Belgian Government is to lay down, not 5,000 hectares, but 2,000 hectares of rubber plantations yearly. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The answer to the third part is in the negative.