§ 11. Sir EDWARD COATESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he could obtain from the Italian Government, for the satisfaction of His Majesty's Mahomedan subjects, an undertaking that genuine pilgrims to Mecca and Medina during the approaching season will be allowed to proceed to their destination without molestation?
§ Sir E. GREYThe question of the pilgrim traffic in the Red Sea is one that has already occupied the serious attention of His Majesty's Government. Early in the year His Majesty's Government expressed to the Italian Government the hope that every consideration consistent with the necessities of war would be shown to pilgrim ships going to or leaving the Hedjaz, and that no measures which the Italian Government might be impelled to take in those waters would in any way hamper the pilgrim traffic. His Majesty's Government have received assurances that the Italian Government would keep carefully in view the requirements of the pilgrim traffic, and were fully conscious of the necessity of not impeding it.
§ Sir HILDRED CARLILEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the facilities to which he has referred will be extended to those going over land as well as to those landing at ports?
§ Sir E. GREYI must ask for notice of this question.