§ MR. W. H. SMITHasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the remonstrances of Her Majesty's Government have been effective in securing for the commercial community of Smyrna free access to the Custom House for their goods without payment of quay dues, in accordance with the terms of the Convention with the Porte to which, England is a party; and, if not, what 1526 further steps the Government contemplate taking to obtain the faithful execution of the stipulations of that engagement; and, when the Correspondence promised in April last will be presented to the House?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, there has been no Convention with the Porte to which England is a party. In 1877 the Quay Company proposed to the local merchants to reduce their tariff of dues and to improve the town, on condition that the free space at the Custom House should be closed. The Committee of Merchants agreed in principle to the proposal, but objected that the reductions of charges offered were insufficient. Lord Derby instructed Her Majesty's Embassy that the proposal of the Company, if properly carried into effect, would seem to be, on the whole, beneficial; but no understanding with regard to the dues was arrived at. The Porte was involved in pecuniary liability towards the Company on account of the free space; and in May, 1880, the Porte closed the free space, without making the reduction of dues which had previously been demanded. Her Majesty's Government strongly protested, and a long correspondence has taken place. In the end Lord Dufferin decided to send Major Trotter to Smyrna to inquire into the circumstances of the case. He has now made a Report, based upon the arrangement proposed and agreed to in principle in 1877, which it is expected will lead to a satisfactory settlement of the questions at issue. The Papers have not been presented pending a definite statement on the subject from Constantinople. It has been found necessary to send the printed proofs of Major Trotter's Report and its annexes, which are voluminous, to Constantinople for revision, and as soon as they are returned the Papers will be laid before Parliament.