HC Deb 22 August 1895 vol 36 cc536-7
MR. C. E. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state the names of the Armenian prisoners, clerical and lay, in Constantinople to whom the recent amnesty of the Sultan has been extended, and what steps have been or will be taken by her Majesty's Government to insure the release of the prisoners now incarcerated in the dungeons of Angora, St. Jean d'Acre, Diarbekir, Tripoli in Barbary, Van, Aleppo, Moush, and Bitlis, who have not had a fair trial, or who have been imprisoned without trial?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

The clerical prisoners in Constantinople were released on May 29th. No information as to the lay prisoners there has been received since the amnesty of July 23rd, by which the release of all political prisoners was ordered, except those accused of murder, bomb-throwing, or similar crimes. Concerning Diarbekir and Bitlis no information has yet been received. At Tripoli in Barbary there are no prisoners detained. A large number have been detained at Angora, Acre, Van, Aleppo, and Moush; and Sir Philip Currie has called the attention of the Turkish Government to the action of the provincial authorities in keeping these prisoners in confinement in disregard of the orders of the Sultan.

MR. C. E. SCHWANN

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire the names of the ecclesiastics?

* MR. CURZON

I do not know that any object is to be gained by ascertaining the names. If the hon. Member will give any good reason, I will consider the matter.

An HON. MEMBER

asked whether the Turkish Government had made any compensation to persons who had been illegally detained.

* MR. CURZON

said, he had not heard anything about compensation; he would make inquiry as to the likelihood of its being paid; on the right or wrong of the question he offered no opinion.