HC Deb 11 June 1917 vol 94 cc575-6
7 and 8. Mr. RONALD McNEILL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether any steps have been taken to prevent the harvest in Thessaly falling into the possession of King Constantine's Government; whether such an event would make it possible for the King to order the return of his troops from the Peloponnese, thus threatening danger to the Venizelists and to the Allied forces operating from Salonika; whether he can give an assurance that such danger has been effectuality provided against by ordering the occupation of Thessaly by Allied troops or otherwise; (2) whether he has any official information showing that M. Venizelos has stated that it is absurd to think there can be any reconciliation of any kind between the Provisional Government and King Constantine; if so, will he say whether it is still the policy of the Allied Powers to aim at the reconciliation which M. Venizelos declares to be absurd to contemplate; and whether the time has come for the Allies to break decisively with King Constantine in agreement with the policy of M. Venizelos?

10. Mr. HUGH LAW

asked whether part of the harvest in Thessaly is now ripe; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent it from falling into the hands of enemy sympathisers or to make it available for that portion of the Greek people which is friendly to the Entente Powers?

Lord R. CECIL

Steps are being taken to secure control of the Thessalian harvest. I do not think it would be desirable to make any further statements as to Greek affairs at present.

Mr. McNEILL

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea when it will be possible to make some disclosure with regard to His Majesty's policy?

Lord R. CECIL

I should not like to pledge myself to a day or two, but I hope very shortly.

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