§ SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House, any information as to the peace negotiations regarding Turkey and Greece; and whether there is any foundation for the report that the British Government have demanded the evacuation of Thessaly before the indemnity has been guaranteed?
MR. CURZONIn answer to the first Question I must refer my hon. 242 Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister in another place yesterday; and, in answer to the second, there is no foundation for the report.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (addressing Mr. Speaker)May I ask you, Sir, whether there is any precedent for referring Members of this House for information on important Questions to what occurs in another place?
§ * MR. SPEAKERI think I remember a precedent in the present Session, but it is not a question of order. The right hon. Gentleman is at liberty to give such information as he thinks proper.
§ SIR W. LAWSONWhat authentic report can we get of the Prime Minister's statements in another place?
§ SIR W. LAWSONBut we want the information to-day in this House.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid he should be obliged if his right hon. Friend would give him information on one specific point—namely, was the House to understand from what occurred in another place that the practical Question which remained unsettled was that of a guarantee for the payment of an indemnity, and of a certain amount of foreign control over the finances of Greece?
MR. CURZONMy hon. Friend is inviting me to make a repetition of what I understand is a great Parliamentary offence. I do not think it is part of my business to explain or comment on the Prime Minister's speech.
§ MR. JOHN DILLON (Mayo, E.)asked if the right hon. Gentleman would be good enough to bring down a shorthand copy of the Prime Minister's speech.
§ [No reply was given.]