§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he is aware that the Turkish Government is compelling all British vessels trading between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (although not communicating with the shore) to perform quarantine at Smyrna; and, whether, in conjunction with other Maritime Powers, he will endeavour to secure the appointment of an International Commission, for the purpose of mitigating unnecessary quarantine regulations?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI conclude the hon. Member is correct, for in a telegram received to-day from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, His Excellency states that passenger and cargo ships from French 924 Mediterranean ports must undergo quarantine at Smyrna, Beyrout, or Tripoli. Passenger ships from the Black Sea or the Adriatic are also subjected to quarantine. There is no information as to the other Mediterranean ports. The details of the Turkish quarantine arrangements will appear in the next London Gazette. As regards an International Commission on Quarantine, it is open to doubt whether such a proposal would at present be advantageous or possible.