§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the circumstances and conditions under which the British subject, Mr. Abbott, of Salonica, who was kidnapped by brigands, was released; what sum was paid by the British Consul to his captors; who provided the money; and whether he will take steps to secure repayment from the Turkish Government, as well as an adequate sum for compensation.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYMr. Abbott was released on the advance by His Majesty's Consul-General of a ransom of £T.15,000, which the Consul was authorised to make from public funds. The recovery of this sum from the Turkish Government is under negotiation. The question of compensation has not been raised, as far as I am aware, in this or in previous similar cases.
§ MR. FELLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Mr. Robert Abbott, a British subject, was a month ago captured by Turkish brigands near Salonica, and has now been ransomed by the British Consul; and, if so, will He say what ransom was paid, from what source it came, and what steps will be taken to recover the amount from the Turkish Government.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have 1062 to-day returned to the hon. and gallant Member for the St. Andrews Burghs.
§ MR. FELLMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has received any report from the Consul-General in Turkey as to the position of affairs in some of the large seaports, one of which I visited last February, and—
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order. Personal statements are not admissible.