Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has received intelligence from consular or other sources that 16,000 Albanian shepherds with their flocks have been penned in on the plains, which are swampy and malarious, below Drina, and are suffering hardships and sickness through lack of provisions and medical aid; and whether His Majesty's Government will endeavour to obtain permission for Red Cross League operations to be undertaken in that district without delay?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Cettinje reports that, on account of the insurrection in Northern Albania the Turkish troops this summer prevented some hundreds of Albanians, who had descended with their families and flocks in the winter to the marshy district south of Scutari, from returning to their homes in the mountains. According to a statement of the Turkish Minister in Montenegro, these people were free to return to their homes some weeks ago. I have no official information to the effect that they are in want of food or medical aid, though I am aware that very distressing accounts of sufferings in Albania have come from private and independent sources. It is not possible for His Majesty's Government to undertake relief operations, but they would do their best to secure facilities either in Montenegro or Albania for any private and independent organisation that desired to collect and distribute relief to non-combatants.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman state when the consular report will be received?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir, but I will inquire.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to communicate to the House any despatches received from his Majesty's Minister at Cettinje showing the number of Albanian refugees in Montenegro, and whether they are being fed by the Montenegrin Government or by private gifts; and whether he will endeavour to utilise the services of His Majesty's ships in supplying canvas tents for the encampments of the women and children who have been driven from their homes by the Turkish troops?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Cettinje reports that the most correct estimate which can be given at the present moment of the number of Albanian refugees in Montenegro is 10,000. They are receiving half a kilogram of maize per head as daily rations from the Montenegrin Government, but nothing else, the gifts of money from the Montenegrin authorities having ceased some months ago. The refugees on the frontier are no doubt assisted to some extent by the villagers. I have already in my previous answer replied to the last part of this question.