HC Deb 26 January 1886 vol 302 cc422-3
ME. J. CHAMBERLAIN

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If it is true that the British Minister at Athens has been instructed by Lord Salisbury to inform M. Delyannis that the British Government was prepared to send a fleet into Greek waters, in order to prevent the possibility of an attack upon Turkey by sea?

MR. HEATON

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question, I wish to ask him the following on the same subject—namely, Whether his attention has been called to the following statement made to-day by the Correspondent of The Times— Lord Salisbury's sensible action is most opportune for the peace of Europe, and kindly to (Greece herself. Telegrams have come in all the afternoon and evening testifying to the joy which all parts of this Empire feel at being relieved from the horrible nightmare of a European war?

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman is only reading extracts from a newspaper. The reading of such extracts is not asking a Question of a Minister.

THE UNDEE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BOURKE)

In reply to the Question of the right hon. Gentleman opposite, I have to state that no such instruction was sent.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I wish to ask another Question of the right hon. Gentleman the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of which I have not given Notice; but I think he will find that it is included in the terms of the Notice I have already given. I wish to ask whether it is a fact that the six Powers, at the instance of Her Majesty's Government, presented a Collective Note intimating that a naval attack by Greece on Turkey would not be permitted; and whether it is a fact that, previous to the presentation of this Collective Note, Her Majesty's Minister at Athens had an interview with M. Delyannis, and informed him that in case this threat were disregarded the British Fleet would be sent into Greek waters?

MR. BOURKE

I think, Sir, that in the first place, with respect to the first part of the Question of the right hon. Gentleman, my reply yesterday was a sufficient answer. As to the last Question, it is quite a different one. I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will see that a Question of such great importance cannot, consistently with my duty, be answered without Notice.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I beg to call the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the Question on the Paper, Whether the British Minister at Athens has been instructed by Lord Salisbury to inform MR. Delyannis that the British Government is prepared to send a fleet into Greek waters; and I now ask whether, at the interview which was held between M. Delyannis and the British Minister, this intimation was given?

MR. BOURKE

Exactly; I quite understand the Question. I have answered the Question which is on the Paper, which is quite different from the one which is now put to me. I have said no such instruction as is referred to in the Question of the right hon. Gentleman was sent to our Minister at Athens. That was the Question on the Paper, and that is my answer. But, I must repeat, it would not be consistent with my duty to answer the Question which the right hon. Gentleman puts to me now without Notice.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I beg to give Notice to the right hon. Gentleman that I will put another Question to him, and that, in consequence of the very unsatisfactory nature of his answers hitherto, I will, on the Report stage of the Address, if we ever get to it, call attention to this subject.