§ MR. H. SAMUELSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can 18 now inform the House when the new inquiry, promised in August last, into the death of Mr. Charles Challoner Ogle, late Correspondent of the "Times" in Thessaly, who was murdered and mutilated in the neighbourhood of Volo in March 1878, will take place; who will conduct the investigation; and what steps will be taken to induce the attendance and to secure the safety of witnesses, who were prevented by fear of consequences from giving evidence at the former inquiry?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, with reference to the delay which has occurred in regard to taking steps for further inquiry into this case, I must remind the House that the district in which the death happened has been, and still is, in a condition of disturbance, there having been incursions of armed bands quite recently. It is, in fact, a district which is in a very touchy state, and there is considerable risk in taking any measures which might be calculated to cause undue excitement. It will be remembered that this district is one of those which it has been proposed that Turkey should cede to Greece; and as the arrangements with regard to the Greek Frontier have not yet been carried into effect, it might lead to grave complications if any steps tending to create excitement were taken at the present time. That is the reason why we have not been able to take any steps towards inducing the Porte to grant the new inquiry; and at the present moment I am unable to say how soon that difficulty Mill be removed.
§ MR. H. SAMUELSONwished to know, Whether the Government had finally abandoned their intention of fulfilling the promise they gave to him in August last?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERCertainly not. They adhere to that promise in the spirit in which it was made.