HC Deb 07 June 1904 vol 135 c925
Mr. WHITLEY

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any steps are being taken by the Turkish and Bulgarian Governments to repatriate the Macedonians who took refuge in Bulgaria; and, if so, whether any monetary gifts or advances, other than gifts from charitable societies, are being made by those Governments to the returning refugees to enable them to make a new start.

Earl PERCY

Mixed Commissions have been formed by the two Governments at eight points on the frontier line where the refugees are allowed to cross and a note is taken by both the Turkish and Bulgarian officials of their names, their native places, and the goods they bring with them. Moreover, the cooperation of the French Consul at Adrianople and of the British Military Attaché at Constantinople has been accepted to supervise the work of repatriation. The Bulgarian Government allotted £4,000 towards repatriation and have since decided to borrow £40,000 from the Banque Agricole and to distribute it among the refugees in the form of loans repayable, without interest, after five years. 3,000 liras have been advanced by the Turkish Agricultural Bank, assisted by the Imperial Treasury, for seed and other purchases.