HC Deb 16 July 1867 vol 188 cc1621-2
MR. J. STUART MILL

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that Commodore Sir William Wiseman has been appointed head of the Naval Council to the Turkish Government, for the purpose of re-organizing the Turkish navy; if so, whether that Officer has previously retired from Her Majesty's service; and, if not, whether the lending of British Officers to the Porte for such a purpose, in the very crisis of the Cretan insurrection, is, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, con- sistent with their declared, principle of non-intervention?

LORD STANLEY

In answer to the Question of the hon. Member I beg to state that when the sanction of Her Majesty's Goverment was given to a British officer being employed to assist in the reorganization of the Turkish navy—foliowing a course for which there me various precedents—it was my belief that long before that appointment could take effect this Cretan business would have been settled one way or the other. As that is not the case, I have since that time agreed with my right hon. Friend at the head of the Admiralty and the Turkish Government that this appointment should not be cancelled, but suspended for a time.

MR. J. STUART MILL

Am I to understand from the noble Lord's Answer that Sir William Wiseman will not proceed to Turkey and will not take any charge in this business as long as the hostilities continue?

LORD STANLEY

At any rate he will not proceed at present. The appointment has been suspended.