§ MR. F. S. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to communicate any information with regard to the progress and result of the Angora trials? At the same time I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is able to confirm the statement that 17 of the prisoners have been sentenced to death? Will the Foreign Office use every effort to obtain from the Sultan a remission of the sentences?
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Government think it is their business to intervene between foreign Governments and their subjects?
§ * SIR E. GREYThere is a well-established practice in these matters depending upon an International Treaty. Telegraphic information has been received that the Court at Angora has condemned Thoumaïan, Kayagan, and 13 others to death, has acquitted 11, and sentenced the remainder to terms of imprisonment of from two to 15 years. These sentences are, we understand, subject to review by the Court of Cassation. Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires will use every effort to secure that these sentences shall not be carried out pending a full consideration of all the circumstances. Her Majesty's Government must await a Report from the Vice Consul as to the conduct of the trial and the evidence produced before determining what further representations should be made to the Porte.
An hon. MEMBERWhat is the interval of time allowed to elapse between condemnation and execution in cases of this kind? Can we have an assurance that these sentences will not be carried out until Her Majesty's Government have had an opportunity of considering the facts?
§ SIR E. GREYI believe that there is usually a considerable interval of time. The sentences are subject to review by the Court of Appeal. Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires will use every effort to see that they are not carried out until an opportunity has been afforded of considering the facts.