HC Deb 06 March 1879 vol 244 cc280-1
MR. WHITWELL

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can inform the House what progress the Commission appointed to "elaborate the organisation of Eastern Roumelia" has made; whether it has "determined" upon "the powers and functions of the Governor General as well as the administrative system, judicial and financial, of the province;" whether the Russian troops are expected to evacuate Eastern Roumelia at the expiration of nine months from the ratification of the Treaty of Berlin, although the Commission may not have completed its work; and, whether the troops of the Porte will enter into the province on the departure of the Russians?

MR. BOURKE

, in reply, said, that the Commission appointed to elaborate the organization of Eastern Roumelia had been engaged in drawing up a Constitution for that Province. The different chapters of the Constitution had been divided among the members of the Commission, and he thought that more than six chapters had already been completed. Among the chapters so completed were, he was informed, those relating to public rights, the powers of the Governor General, and finance. The hon. Member asked— Whether the Russian troops are expected to evacuate Eastern Roumelia at the expiration of nine months from the ratification of the Treaty of Berlin, although the Commission may not have completed its work? His answer to that was, "Yes, certainly." With regard to the Question— Whether the troops of the Porte will enter into the province on the departure of the Russians? he would refer the hon. Member to the Treaty, which said that the troops of the Porte shall be able to garrison the Frontier of the Province, and in the event of disorder shall have the power of entering the Province. He could not at present lay any Papers on the Table in connection with the proceedings of the Commission.

MR. E. JENKINS

With regard to the answer given to the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Kendal, I wish to ask, Whether it is to be distinctly understood that it is in the contemplation of the Government, in the event of disorder in Eastern Roumelia, that the whole of the district shall be left to the mercy of the Turkish troops?

MR. BOURKE

In my reply to the hon. Member for Kendal I referred him to the Treaty; and I must give the same answer to the hon. Member for Dundee.