§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to give detailed information as to the alleged atrocities committed by the troops of the Sultan of Morocco on 1793 the inhabitants of the district of Lemta on the day on which the French troops entered Fez; and whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Sultan that the troops who committed these atrocities were commanded by European officers?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThere have been conflicting statements as to the details of what occurred. Cruelties were undoubtedly perpetrated. I am awaiting further reports from His Majesty's Consul at Fez. I am not aware that any European officers were with the troops at the actual time the cruelties were committed.
§ Mr. DILLONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether if he receives further reports he will lay them upon the Table?
§ Mr. DILLONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table any reports from British consuls, or other information which had reached the British Government before the announcement of the proposed French expedition to Fez, and which was calculated to convey the impression that the lives of Europeans in Fez were in danger, or that it was not possible for Europeans to leave Fez and reach the coast in safety; and whether he can now state the total number of Europeans in Fez at the time the French expedition started?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I returned to his questions on the same subject on 30th May last, and to which I have nothing to add. An opportunity for discussing recent events in Morocco will arise on the Debate on the Foreign Office Estimates.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYCan the right hon. Gentleman say in what part of Ireland Morocco is situated?