§ 6. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in the event of the cession of any portion of Turkish territory to any of the Balkan States as the result of the present war, there will be a change detrimental to English interests in the fiscal duties imposed upon Manchester and Yorkshire goods; and whether he will bear in mind the importance of Turkey as an outlet for such goods in any negotiations which might involve a change of territory in those regions?
§ Sir E. GREYThe hon. Member will doubtless realise that I am, at this stage, unable to reply to the first portion of his question. His Majesty's Government are, of course, fully alive to the importance of British commercial interests in these regions.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSMay we take it that every effort will be made in this case —it was too late in the case of Tripoli— to preserve such rights as we now have with Turkey in regard to free admission of our goods?
§ Sir E. GREYIt was not a question of being too late in Tripoli. When countries go to war, and as a result one country annexes by conquest the territory of the other, that territory passes absolutely to the other country and neutral countries cannot make stipulations unless they are prepared to dispute the terms of peace and to assert their rights by force of arms.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSMight I suggest—[HON. MEMBEBS: "NO, no."] Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not be possible to give some quid pro quo if we were not a Free Trade country?
§ Sir E. GREYI have been pointing out that in the case of Italian-Tripoli, which may also apply to this country—I am not speaking in advance—Tariff Reform countries are those which have made these special stipulations and have got no special advantage.