§ 18. Mr. RONALD McNEILLasked if an arrangement was made for the payment by France and Great Britain in equal moieties of a subsidy to the Government of Montenegro after its expulsion from its own country and its temporary establishment in Paris; if he will say why the payment of the British portion was discontinued in 1916 although the French portion continues to be regularly paid; if he is aware that this circumstance is being used by enemies of Montenegro to show that this member of the Alliance is lightly esteemed by Great Britain; and whether, in order to remove such false impression, he will arrange that this country shall resume sharing with France the payment of 1890 whatever subsidy may be deemed necessary for the support of the Montenegrin Government while in exile?
Mr. BALFOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and that to the third part in the negative. The payments in question were temporarily suspended pending an examination of the actual needs of the Montenegrin Government, and steps are now being taken to equalise the payments made by France and Great Britain under the original agreement.
§ 19. Mr. McNEILLasked whether the Governments of France, Italy, and Russia have official diplomatic representatives accredited to the Court and Government of Montenegro now in Paris, whereas His Majesty's Government have no such representative but depend on the services of a subordinate official at the Embassy in Paris for communication with the Montenegrin Government, whether he is aware that this treatment of an Ally whom the British people hold in honour is regarded in some quarters as an intentional slight on the King and Government of Montenegro; and whether he will take steps to correct this impression by accrediting a diplomatic representative to the Montenegrin Government and by inviting that Government to appoint a diplomatic representative in London?
Mr. BALFOURHis Majesty's Government are represented at the Court of Montenegro by the Counsellor of His Majesty's Embassy in Paris, who is duly accredited to the King of Montenegro as "Chargé des Affaires." There is no reason whatever for regarding this convenient and perfectly natural arrangement as a slight upon our Ally.
§ Mr. McNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in point of fact it is so regarded, and there is a great contrast between the representation of this country and the other Powers, and whether he could not see his way to enter into an arrangement which would be more satisfactory?
Mr. BALFOURMy information does not quite tally with my hon. Friend's statement. I do not think that any slight is really felt by the Montenegrin Government.
§ Mr. KINGIs it not a fact that there is another Government now in Montenegro 1891 with a large support which has disowned the recent Government which we supported?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise.