§ MR. H. B. SAMUELSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether any large reductions have been made in 1089 the Consular Service in Bulgaria or in the Balkan district recently, which prevented full information reaching us of what occurred in Bulgaria last year; and, if so, what those reductions have been; whether a Vice Consul was not stationed at Adrianople during and prior to the disturbances in the Balkan district, who had means of constant communication with Sir Henry Elliot; and what Consular representatives we have in Bulgaria and the Balkan district; and, if he would explain to the House whether there was anything to prevent the Vice Consul at Adrianople from making free use of the Railway between Adrianople and Tatar-Bazardjik (about 110 miles), upon which trains were running upon May 1st, as stated by Mr. Baring in his Report?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI think the most convenient course for giving the information which the hon. Gentleman appears to desire, as to the state of the Consular Service in these districts, will be by his moving for such Returns as can be laid upon the Table. With regard to the Question whether any large reductions have been made in the Consular service in Bulgaria or in the Balkan district recently, which prevented full information reaching us of what occurred in Bulgaria last year, that is a matter of opinion, and, therefore, I can hardly give an answer to the Question. With regard to the second Question, the hon. Gentleman will see from the Blue Book that Mr. Dupuis was stationed at Adrianople during and prior to the disturbances in the Balkan district, and, of course, had means of, and was in constant communication with Sir Henry Elliot. No other Consular representatives were, I believe, in the disturbed districts at that time. The nearest Consular representatives were at Rustschuk, on the Danube, and at Varna and Burgas, on the Black Sea. I am not aware that there was anything to prevent the Vice Consul at Adrianople from making free use of the railway between Adrianople and Tatar-Bazardjik, supposing that he was able to leave his post at Adrianople; but I am unable to give any information on this point. I may mention that a Vice Consul has since been appointed at Philippopolis.
MR. GLADSTONEMy right hon. Friend says that he has no means of giving information as to Mr. Dupuis 1090 being able to use the railway. Perhaps the Government will be kind enough to ascertain whether the statement is correct, which I believe has been pretty freely made in and out of this House, that Mr. Dupuis was paralytic and totally incapable of visiting the district or conducting the inquiry?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI will make inquiries on the subject.