§ Mr. JAMES HOPEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has any official information showing that large numbers of non-combatant and unarmed Albanians of both sexes, estimated in one account at 16,000, are being confined by the Turkish authorities to the marsh lands near Skutari, with the practical certainty of their death by malaria; and whether he is able to make any further announcement as to the progress made by the Powers towards the settlement of Albanian affairs?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)I have no official information in regard to the point raised in the first part of the hon. Member's question, and in regard to the second point I am not in a position to make any statement as to the action of the Powers in the Albanian ques- 656 tion, but the Turkish Government have prolonged the amnesty until the 30th of this month. His Majesty's Government are most anxious from every point of view, including that of the new regime in Turkey, that there should be a settlement of the Albanian troubles on liberal and generous terms. Excesses in the repression of those troubles and the prolongation of them must be a cause of grave anxiety to everyone who desires to see the strength and credit of the Turkish Government established and peace secured in the Balkans. This, I believe, is also the desire of other Powers, who have used their influence to the same effect.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman ask the nearest Consul to send in a report as to whether or not the allegation is true?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask if he appreciates the point that a prolongation of the amnesty is of no use if the people concerned are dying in the meantime?