HC Deb 23 June 1879 vol 247 c435
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can he so good as to explain into what Provinces Turkey in Europe is divided for the application of local institutions under the 23rd Article of the Treaty of Berlin as it is now being dealt with; especially whether the whole of Roumelia not included in Eastern Roumelia is to form one Province, and Macedonia; including Salonica, another; and, whetherthe Rhodope country between Eastern Roumelia and the sea is to be a separate Province or to be united to either of the others?

MR. BOURKE

Sir, we apprehend that the authorities called upon to decide these questions will be the Commissions to which the subject will be referred. It is impossible for Her Majesty's Government to say what is to be the geographical division of the various Provinces of Turkey.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

The hon. Gentleman will remember that the Treaty provides for a Commission to he appointed for each Province. Perhaps he will be good enough to state, Whether any steps have been taken for the appointment of any one Commission for any one Province?

MR. BOURKE

Not at present.