§ MR. LEVESON GOWER (Stoke-upon-Trent)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has observed the statement in the Dâily News of 2nd March, that the British Embassy at Constantinople has just agreed to a General Order of the Porte, under which many notices have been served for closing American schools in Turkey unless they obtain official permits within short fixed periods; and whether, if this be so, in view of the prejudicial effect which such an Order would probably result in to British as well as to American schools in Turkey, the Government will direct Her Majesty's Ambassador to make representations to the Porte with a view to securing the free and unimpeded working and development of such schools?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. J. W. LOWTHER,) Cumberland, PenrithThe statement referred to by the hon. Gentleman is not correct. Representations have already been made to the Porte, claiming for British subjects their full rights, secured by the Treaties, in the matter of their religious and educational pursuits. Her Majesty's Representative is acting in this matter in full concert with the American Minister.