HC Deb 11 June 1896 vol 41 cc858-9
MR. C. J. MONK (Gloucester)

I beg to ask the First Lord of Treasury, whether Her Majesty's Government, with a view to the prevention of the recurrence of massacres of the Christians in Crete by Turkish troops, will, in concert with the other protecting Powers, take into consideration the desirability of recommending to the Ottoman Porte the cession of the Island of Crete to Greece on the payment of an indemnity or of an annual tribute?

* SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask whether the Government have any evidence that there has been a massacre by Turkish troops in Crete?

* MR. CURZON

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me to answer his Question. No such proposal has been made to Her Majesty's Government, and they have no intention of making it themselves.

MR. MONK

I would ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will put down the Diplomatic Vote for an early Friday, in order that an opportunity may be given for discussing the matter?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I do not like to give any pledge with regard to the disposal of Fridays in the future, and I am not aware that from any quarter of the House a sufficient demand has arisen for discussing recent events in Crete.

* SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

May I ask the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have evidence that there has been any massacre by Turkish troops in Crete?

* MR. CURZON

We have heard of warlike operations [laughter] between the Turkish troops and the insurgents in Crete, but I do not know that the information we have received is precisely covered by the word "massacre."

* SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Has the right hon. Gentleman not received information that a number of Mussulmans have been massacred by Christians in Crete?

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether Her Majesty's Government have any reason to suppose that the people of Crete are desirous of being ceded to Greece?

* MR. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the Question.

MR. P. STANHOPE (Burnley)

May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government has entered into agreement with the French Government in order to press on the Porte the importance of giving due concessions to the Cretan people?

* MR. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of this Question.