§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of His Majesty's Government has been directed to the fact that the condition of Macedonia is as bad as, if not worse than, it was four years ago, before the intervention of the European Powers; whether, as a matter of fact, the situation in that country is going from bad to worse; and whether His Majesty's Government can hold out any hope of effective means being taken to provide a remedy.
§ MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under-Lyne)At the same time, may I ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are now prepared, in view of the number of deaths by violence recorded by the British Consuls in Macedonia, to make a new effort, either by enlarging the 1004 powers of the Financial Commission or in other ways, to secure the reforms which are essential to the prevention of bloodshed.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI cannot admit that the reforms have done no good. But the condition of Macedonia is occupying the anxious consideration of His Majesty's Government, and they are endeavouring, in consultation with the other Powers, to render the reforms more effective.
§ MR. LYNCH (Yorkshire, W. R., Ripon)asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention had been called to the fact that the number of violent deaths in Macedonia had increased from 100 per month in 1905 to 150 per month in 1906; further, if his attention had been called to the fact that a number of violent deaths were credibly reported to have been due to Turkish troops, which Turkish troops it was proposed, with the consent of His Majesty's Government, to pay out of increased Customs duties to be levied on British trade.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI am afraid I must ask for notice of that Question; it would require a speech to answer it.