HC Deb 30 April 1897 vol 48 cc1349-50
MR. EDWARD MORTON (Devonport)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in Asia Minor relief supplied to Armenians in money and goods has been seized by the agents of the Turkish Government for alleged arrears of taxation; and whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to prevent the continuance of this conduct by the Turkish Government or their agents?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

Several instances have been reported by Her Majesty's Consular Officers in Asia Minor during the last eighteen months of the seizure of relief money by the Turkish tax collectors. Her Majesty's Embassy at Constantinople have invariably brought these cases to the notice of the Porte, and have received assurances that the proceedings would be checked. In some cases reports have been received that the representations made have been successful, and that the practice has been put a stop to.