HC Deb 04 June 1878 vol 240 cc1167-8
MR. HAYTER

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in the Congress about to be held at Berlin, England will be the only Great Power represented both by her Prime Minister and her Foreign Secretary; and, whether there is any precedent for the adoption of this course in former Congresses by England? He also wished to know, whether the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to state to the House the reasons which have induced the Government to recommend to Her Majesty the appointment of two plenipotentiaries to attend the Congress?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

With regard to the first Question of the hon. Gentleman, we do not know for certain who are to be the Representatives of all the other Powers at the Congress. With regard to the second Question, whether there is any precedent for the adoption of the course of sending two Representatives by England—the Prime Minister and the Se- cretary of State for Foreign Affairs—there is no such precedent. With regard to the third Question—of which the hon. Gentleman has not given Notice—I really do not see that I can say anything more than I said last night.

SIR JOHN KENNAWAY

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can give the House the assurance that in the Congress about to be held, Her Majesty's Government will undertake that the case of the Armenians shall be considered as well as that of the other Christians living under Turkish rule?

MR. BOURKE

If my hon. Friend will look at the Treaty of San Stefano, particularly Article 16, he will see that the case of the Armenians must necessarily come before the Congress, and no doubt it will receive the careful consideration of the Powers.