§ MR. FRANCIS STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why it is that no despatches from the Foreign Office to Sir William White, on the subject of the condition of affairs in Armenia, were included in the recently published Papers relating to Asiatic Turkey; and whether it is the intention of the Government to make those despatches public?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThere are no despatches from the Foreign Office to Sir W. White during the period over which the Blue Book extends (January-November, 1890), other than despatches calling for Reports or approving his proceedings, which will be found on pages 12, 19, 20, 41, 45, 57, 59, 65 (Nos. 8, 14, 15, 46, 52, 69, 74 and 83). On reference to Turkey No. 1, 1890, page 130, it will be seen that under date of January 24th, 1890, Her Majesty' Asmbassador had instructions to take every fitting opportunity to impress upon the Government of the Sultan the danger of allowing the continuance of the state of things in Asiatic Turkey, which had been reported to Her Majesty's Government.
§ MR. F. S. STEVENSONAre we to understand from that answer that since the 24th of January, 1890, no despatches from the Foreign Office to that effect have been sent to Sir William White?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThe instructions then given continue in force, and continue to be acted upon.