§ 1. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, as representing the captains and officers of the British merchant service, has caused urgent representations to be addressed to him regarding the dangers presented by the extinguishing of the navigational lights in the Red Sea by orders of the Turkish Government; whether these lights are still extinguished; and, if so, whether, in view of this continued menace to the safety of British ships, which preponderate in the navigation of the Red Sea, he will now consider the desirability of cooperating with the German and French Governments to bring further pressure to bear upon the Turkish Government in order that these lights may once again be exhibited?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)Representations were made by the Guild in a letter dated 6th October last, to which a reply was returned defining the attitude of His Majesty's Government in accordance with statements since made in this House in answer to questions on the subject. Since that date I have received no communication from the Guild. So far as I am aware the lights in question have not been relit, but for the reasons already given. There are no further steps that His Majesty's Government could take without a departure from neutrality; nor is there any reason to suppose that the attitude of France and Germany differs from our own. We are of course anxious to see the lights restored and would not neglect any favourable opportunity of bringing that about.
§ Mr. PETOHas the right hon. Gentleman been in communication with the 956 Governments of France and Germany on the question?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir, I do not think we have been in communication. We have no reason to suppose that they take any different view to our own.
§ Colonel YATEIf these islands in the Red Sea are perfectly worthless could not some negotiations be entered into with Turkey to acquire them?
§ Sir E. GREYWe had negotiations with Turkey in the earlier stages of the war, and we found that unless there was some agreement that the war should not be prosecuted in the Red Sea the Turkish Government would take objection to restoring the lights; and it was not found possible to come to any agreement for the neutralisation of the Red Sea.
§ Colonel YATECould any arrangement be come to to acquire these islands?
§ Sir E. GREYI think that is absolutely out of the question. A war is proceeding between two other Powers. We are absolutely neutral, and for us to make any proposal to acquire territory belonging to one or the other is impossible.
§ 7. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can make any statement with regard to the closing of the Dardanelles; and what action His Majesty's Government intends to take in the matter in order to prevent a repetition of the holding up of British ships and merchandise which has caused so much inconvenience in the past?
§ Sir E. GREYI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for West Staffordshire. There seems no occasion for the present to take any action.
§ 11. Mr. MORRELLasked whether any negotiations are now in progress for the termination of the war in Tripoli?
§ Sir E. GREYI have no information on the subject from either of the Governments concerned.