§ MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (, &c.) Leithasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the fact that no reparation has yet been made by the Turkish Authorities to Mrs. Barker, an English lady, resident at Aleppo, whose house there was attacked, and violently entered, by a mob, led by the then Dragoman of the Governor of Aleppo, in October, 1886; whether the house of this lady is still forcibly retained by this Dragoman, who is protected by the Governor of Aleppo; whether Her Majesty's Government have addressed remonstrances to the Turkish Government on the subject of this outrage, with regard to which a Question was put in this House on the 25th of August last; and, whether they will press energetically that the proper redress shall be made?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)No reparation has been made, as the respective claims of Mrs. Barker and the Dragoman are still the subject of litigation. Sir William White has, however, obtained the dismissal of the Dragoman, on account of 984 his attempt to enforce his claim by violence. Both the Ambassador and the Consul at Aleppo have repeatedly advised as to the course that Mrs. Barker should pursue; and have explained that Her Majesty's Government cannot use diplomatic pressure in a case which the Law Courts are competent to decide.