HC Deb 31 March 1885 vol 296 cc1095-6
MR. M'COAN

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Anglo-Turkish Convention is regarded by Her Majesty's Government as being still in force; or whether, like Article 11 of the Treaty of Paris, it was intended to be only provisional and not permanent?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I cannot undertake at a few hours' Notice to go into the matters brought forward by the hon. Member's inquiry, which raise questions which are matters of opinion, and could in any case hardly be answered within the limits usually assigned to a reply in this House.

MR. M'COAN

I must really press my Question on the noble Lord. It is one of fact. Is an existing Treaty, to which Her Majesty's Government were parties some years ago, now in force or not? It is a simple question of fact, and no opinion which the noble Lord can express can affect a question of International Law. I must ask for an answer, "Yes" or "No."

[No reply.]

MR. RAIKES

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any instructions which might have been sent to Her Majesty's Representative at Constantinople with respect to the signature of the Convention by Turkey and any Correspondence or telegrams on the subject would be communicated to the House in the next Papers presented?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I cannot reply to that Question without having previously communicated with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.