§ MR. SPOONERSir, I wish to ask the noble Lord at the head of the Government whether any Report has been received from the Commissioners appointed by the Protecting Powers to inquire into the finances of Greece; and if there is any prospect that their better administration will relieve the Consolidated Fund of any portion of the annual charge for interest on the Greek Loan, guaranteed by Great Britain, which is now paid?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONSir, as the hon. Gentleman doubtless knows, a Commission was appointed by the three Protecting Powers some time ago, in conjunction with Officers of the Greek Government, to examine into the state of the finances of Greece, and make a Report upon the subject. In the meantime—that is, before coming to a conclusion—they were to suggest to the Greek Government such alterations or considerations with a view to the improvement of the finances as might occur to them. No Report has as yet been made, though I believe the Greek Government have given every fair facility for the prosecution of the inquiry. At the same time, I am afraid I cannot hold out any expectation that the result of the inquiry will lead to any early fulfilment by the Greek Government of the 1897 engagement to pay themselves the interest of the sinking fund on their Loan.