§ MR. SERJEANT SIMONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will state what information, if any, has been received at the Foreign Office respecting the recent expulsions of the Jews from the interior of Servia and Roumania; and, whether he will lay the Papers before the House in order that they might be printed with the other Papers relating to the Jews of those countries as already ordered by the House?
§ MR. BOURKESir, many representations have been received at the Foreign Office, and it appears that the last occurrence that has taken place in reference to this subject was with regard to a certain number of Jewish families who were removed from their homes in Moldavia by the order of the Prefect. On inquiries being made, Colonel Mansfield reported on the 19th of January that the Austrian Vice Consul had been to Moldavia to investigate, and had found that from 90 to 120 families, from 60 communes, had been expelled. Colonel Mansfield and the Austrian Vice Consul there made a representation on the subject, and the Prefect was ordered by the central authority to restore these unhappy people to their homes, and that was, to a certain extent, carried out; but, unfortunately, in the meantime, their houses had been let or assigned to other persons, and their effects and furniture pillaged. Colonel Mansfield was instructed by telegraph on the 19th of January to inquire into the alleged outrages on the Jews, and 114 to take such measures as he properly could for their protection, and he at once telegraphed to Mr. St. John to make inquiry. I am happy to say that Colonel Mansfield has since been able to report that the Prefect who gave orders for the expulsion of the Jews has been superseded, and the authorities at Bucharest have promised that such occurrences shall not take place again. Colonel Mansfield states that he has no doubt that the representations of the British and Austrian Governments are producing the proper effect on the condition of the Jews in Moldavia. Papers relating to the treatment of the Jews are being prepared, and the recent despatches will be included.
§ MR. SERJEANT SIMONMay I call attention to the question with regard to expulsions from Servia?
§ MR. BOURKEI am very sorry to say that I have omitted to see that part of the Question, but I shall be prepared to answer it if the hon. and learned Gentleman will repeat it to-morrow.