HC Deb 14 March 1907 vol 171 cc226-7
MR. LYNCH (Yorkshire, W.R., Ripon)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is contemplated that the formulating of reforms in Macedonia shall continue to rest with the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Governments after the proceeds of the proposed new Customs duties, leviable mainly upon British goods, have been applied to the financing of such reforms.

SIR EDWARD GREY

His Majesty's Government understand that any projects for reforms which may be formulated by the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Governments will be submitted to all the Powers concerned, and considered by them all. The initiative is, therefore, not so important as that the reforms should be formulated upon a principle which is acceptable to all the Powers, and this I trust is secured.

MR. LYNCH

asked whether the initiative was not a matter of great importance, considering that the whole judicial reform of Macedonia rested at present with the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Governments.

SIR EDWARD GEEY

said he did not say the initiative was of no importance, but what was more important was that when that initiative was taken the reforms should be upon principles which were acceptable. The question of who took the initiative was then much more a matter of form than of substance.