HC Deb 08 June 1880 vol 252 cc1454-5
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Mr. Michell, Her Majesty's Consul at Philippopolis, applied for leave to come home at this time; whether, considering his intimate acquaintance with Eastern Roumelia, and that he has been mainly instrumental in making known the oppression of the Mahometan population, Her Majesty's Government has considered the best means to pursue the proposed Inquiry in Mr. Michell's absence; and, whether they will add to their Commission of Inquiry a European to be nominated by Sir A. H. Layard?

MR. H. NORTHCOTE

also had a Question on the Paper asking the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, For how long a period leave of absence has been granted to Mr. Michell, Her Majesty's Consul at Philippopolis; if he will state the name of the gentleman who is discharging the duties of that consulate; and, if it is the present intention of Her Majesty's Government that Mr. Michell, shall resume his consular duties at Philippopolis on the expiration of his current term of leave?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I fear I cannot add much to what I stated to the House last night. Mr. Michell was himself anxious to come away from Philippopolis, and as, in the opinion both of himself and Her Majesty's Government, his presence there at the moment was not required, leave was given him to-come home; but no definite period was fixed for its duration, nor can I say at present whether he will return to his post or not. During his absence his place will be supplied by Mr. Stephen, one of the Secretaries in Her Majesty's Embassy at Constantinople, who has been appointed on the recommendation both of Sir Henry Layard and Mr. Goschen, and who is acquainted with the Bulgarian language.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

said, the hon. Baronet had not answered the second and third parts of his Questions.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

replied, that he thought he had sufficiently answered those parts when he had stated that Mr. Stephen had been selected as a person competent to conduct the inquiry, and that on the recommendation of Sir Henry Layard.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Do I understand that the Commission of Inquiry consists only of Mr. Stephen?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I am not aware that there is any question of a Commission of Inquiry in the case.