§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have stipulated for the introduction of further reforms in Macedonia as a condition to their consent to any increase in the Turkish Customs duties; whether they have stipulated that such reforms should be put into execution before agreeing to the increase; and, if so, whether such reforms have actually been put into operation.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe Answer to the first two of the hon. Member's Questions is in the affirmative; the Answer to the third Question is in the negative, the increase not yet having been decided upon.
§ MR. LYNCH (Yorkshire, W. R., Ripon)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the official mouth-piece of the Government, speaking at the Guildhall, said it had been stipulated, as a condition of this increase, that these reforms should be executed.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYIf the increase is agreed to, it will be on the understanding that certain reforms are carried out. That will be the condition of our consent to the increase.
§ MR. ASHLEYasked whether they were to understand that this increase was to be allocated solely to Macedonian reforms.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYIt is to be allocated to the expenses of the Egyptian Budget with the exception of 25 per cent., I think, which, under arrangement, goes to the extinction of debt.
§ MR. LYNCHthought the right hon. Gentleman had not comprehended his Question. Was it the fact, as stated at the Guildhall, that these reforms should be enacted and satisfactorily begun before consent to the increase was given?
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member ought to give notice of that Question.