§ MR. FAWCETTasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, considering that in the second paragraph of the first Article of the Anglo-Turkish Convention, the Sultan
promises to England to introduce necessary reforms, to be agreed upon later between the two Powers, into the Government and for the protection of Christian and other subjects of the Portein Asiatic Turkey, the Government will undertake that this agreement shall not be finally concluded until Parliament has had an opportunity of expressing its opinion on these reforms, and on the guarantees to be provided for their execution?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHE-QUERSir, the Government will be anxious to give the earliest and fullest information to the House upon this subject; but I cannot undertake to make such a promise as the hon. Gentleman asks for, because it is not probable that we shall be able to complete this agreement before the end of the present Session, and a promise to put it off till the beginning of the next Session would, I think, be unduly delaying the matter.
§ MR. FAWCETTgave Notice that before the House went into Committee of Supply next week, he would move that, in the opinion of the House, before any agreement was finally entered into between England and the Porte for the introduction of reforms into Asiatic Turkey, and for the protection of the Christian and other subjects of the Porte, Parliament should have an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon such agreement, and upon the guarantees provided for its execution.