asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if negotiations have at any time taken place during his term of office or that of his predecessor with regard to the granting of trading concessions in British North Borneo; and whether the question of granting such concessions is still under consideration?

The answer is in the negative. The hon. Gentleman will see on reference to the Agreement of 1888 with the British North Borneo Company and to the company's charter that such matters are entirly for the company to decide.