HC Deb 29 June 1903 vol 124 cc793-4
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attentoin has been called to the fact that a convent near Erzeroum has recently been pillaged by Kurds, who killed a number of priests, and the village of Benn also pillaged about the same time; also that the Turkish troops afforded no protection during this action of the Kurds; and what steps the Foreign Office are prepared to take in regard to these occurrences.

LORD CRANBORNE

His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople has received no report from the Acting British Consul at Erzeroum of any outrages of this kind having occurred near that place. He is, however, making inquiries. The Porte denies that there is any foundation for the reports. †See (4) Debates, ci., 1182.

MR. FLYNN

Is it not the fact that the telegraphic account of these outrages came from Constantinople on the 23rd June? How is it the Foreign Office is unable to get any information there?

LORD CRANBORNE

We have information there that there is no truth in the report.

MR. FLYNN

Will further inquiries be made?

LORD CRANBORNE

We are making further inquiries.