§ MR. H. SAMUELSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What is the result of Mr. Consul General Fawcett's inquiry into the murder of the late Mr. Charles Ogle in Thessaly; and, whether the Government intend to institute a fresh inquiry?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHE-QUERsaid, it would be more convenient 1613 that the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should answer the Question.
§ MR. BOURKEobserved, that the hon. Member had added to the Question since he gave Notice of it.
§ MR. H. SAMUELSONsaid, he could explain his reason for doing so. He had put a series of Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer late on Friday night, and he understood that the right hon. Gentleman himself was to give him an answer that day. He thought there were to be no more technical objections on the part of the Foreign Office.
§ MR. BOURKEsaid, he wished to state that there was no desire on the part of the Foreign Office to delay the production of these Papers; but, on the contrary, they were extremely anxious that they should be produced, and he could not understand why the hon. Member should be under the impression that there was a desire on the part of the Foreign Office to keep them back. When the House saw the Papers, they would be of opinion that no unnecessary delay had arisen in producing them. The fact was that the Papers were only received about three weeks ago. They extended over 62 pages of the Parliamentary Blue Book, and many of the documents being in the Turkish and Greek languages, there had been some little difficulty experienced in getting them translated. When Papers left the Foreign Office, that Department was not responsible for any delay that occurred, but the printers. Delays had taken place in consequence of the unfortunate printers taking a holiday for a day or two at Whitsuntide, and from its being necessary to have a sketch made to accompany the Papers. He was happy to say that 25 copies were at that time in the Vote Office, containing all the information that it was possible to give with regard to this lamentable affair. The result of the inquiry was contained in the long Report which Mr. Consul General Fawcett had sent home, and it would be more satisfactory that hon. Members should themselves refer to it. As the hon. Member had not seen the Report, it was rather premature in him to ask whether the Government intended to institute a fresh inquiry.
§ MR. H. SAMUELSONgave Notice that he would take an early opportunity of calling attention to the subject, and moving a Resolution.