§ MR. W. CARTWRIGHTasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Her Majesty's Government has cognizance of any project involving a loan to Turkey under British guarantee; and, whether he can give any assurance that there is no intention on the part of Her Majesty's Government to entertain a proposal involving such guarantee by this Country to a Turkish loan?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERHer Majesty's Government have 524 had their attention repeatedly called to the financial difficulties in which the Porte is placed, and many suggestions have been made to them as to the assistance which England might render. But these suggestions have, for the most part, been of a wholly impracticable character, and the Government have nothing at present before them in a tangible shape. They have deputed a gentleman well versed in accounts to make inquiries into the real condition of the Turkish finances. Every facility has been promised him for making these inquiries, and the Porte has placed him on the Financial Commission which is now charged with the revision of the whole financial system. It is obvious that financial considerations must enter largely into the reforms which Her Majesty's Government are urging upon the Porte, and it is, therefore, essential that they should be well informed. It must not be forgotten that Her Majesty's Government are already guarantors of a portion of the Turkish Debt; but no financial engagements will be entered into without the previous consent of Parliament.