§ MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the ransom of £15,000 paid to the brigands at Smyrna for the release of Mr. Robert Abbott has been recovered from the Turkish Government; if not, what steps are being taken to obtain payment.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick.The larger part of the ransom paid for Mr. Abbott's release is now in the hands of the Ottoman Government, having been recovered from the brigands. Sir N. O'Conor was recently instructed to request that it may be handed over to His Majesty's Government forthwith. The question of the best means of recovering the remainder of the money is now under consideration.
SIR GILBERT PARKERasked if His Majesty's Government were holding the Turkish Government responsible for the amount?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI should like notice of the Question.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)How much was got back from the brigands?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI think £9,000 has been recovered from them.