§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has taken, or intends to take, any steps to bring about an arrangement with the Porte for the commutation of the annual payment of £92,800 now due from Cyprus to the creditors of the Porte, and an arrange-with France to pay off the Guaranteed Pour Per Cent. Loan of 1855, and to raise the money on cheaper terms?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square)The question of the hon. Member describes the tribute of Cyprus as duo to the creditors of the Porte. So far as the Government is concerned, their obligation is to the Porte, and not to its creditors. I mention this lest some misapprehension should arise from my taking no notice of this suggestion in the question. With regard to the substance of the question, the times have not been propitious for either of the two operations specified by the hon. Member, and I can make no declaration at all as to what I might ultimately be able to do.