HC Deb 01 July 1881 vol 262 cc1826-7
MR. M'COAN

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any other report than that published at the time has been received from Dr. Dickson, physician to Her Majesty's Embassy at Constantinople, and a member of the Medical Commission which examined the body of the late Sultan Abdul Aziz immediately after his death of the result of such examination; and, if there be, whether he will lay it upon the Table of the House; and also, whether, in the interests of justice and humanity, and in view of the report made at the time by such Medical Commission, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to interpose its friendly good offices at the Porte, or directly with the Sultan, to save Midhat Pasha, and any or all of the other persons convicted with him yesterday of complicity in the alleged murder of Abdul Aziz, from execution of the sentences severally passed upon them? He desired to express, before the Question was answered, his absolute distrust of the capacity and probity of the members of the Turkish Court which conducted the recent trial; and, from his own personal knowledge, he accepted all the responsibility of stating that they were persons not entitled to the respect of Europe, or of that House.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, the substance of a Report by Dr. Dickson was laid before Parliament (Turkey, No. 3, 1876, p. 227), and no further Report has been received. Lord Granville is in communication with Lord Dufferin with regard to the recent State trial; but it would be premature to make any announcement at present.