§ 2. Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government of the United States was consulted as to the solution of the Balkan problem by the deposition of King Constantine and the nomination of his son as King?
§ Mr. LYNCHWould it not be well to associate America in these acts which really have an influence on the course of the War itself?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat has no connection with the question on the Paper.
§ 3. Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had his attention called to the statement of the Prime Minister to Greece in his letter to M. Jonnart that King Constantine, in abdicating, nominated his son Alexander as his successor; and, if the facts are as stated, whether he can indicate the constitutional authority under which King Constantine acted in his bestowal of the throne?
Mr. BALFOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In the absence of full official accounts of these events, which we are still awaiting, any further answer on the subject would be necessarily speculative and might be misleading.
Mr. BALFOURI shall wait till I see what the hon Member's question is, and, secondly, to see what the accounts are.
§ 8. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Greek people will be now encouraged or allowed, whether by plebiscite or by new elections for the Assembly, to show their confidence in their leaders' policy or to elect new representatives?
§ 47. Mr. LYNCHasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the character of the election of King Alexander in Greece, the Allies will make arrangements for consulting the people of Greece by means of a national convention under the conditions that if a considerable section of the community should refuse to agree to the form of Government proposed no attempt will be made to force upon the country monarchical rule under King Alexander?
Mr. BALFOURI fear there is nothing I can add to the answers already given on this subject. I do not think anything will be gained by discussing at the present moment the proposals put forward by the hon. Member for West Clare.
Mr. BALFOURThese are abstract questions which do not seem to me to have any reference to the questions on the Paper.
§ 48. Mr. LYNCHasked the Prime Minister whether, considering the importance of the new departure in regard to the throne in Greece, and in view of the fact that the accession of a king by election, however irregularly conducted, may give alarm in Allied countries, he will issue a reassuring statement to the effect that it is not intended to encourage or recognise freedom of choice in regard to monarchy elsewhere than in Greece?
§ Mr. LYNCHWould it not be a real source of alarm if people get it into their heads that sovereigns are there by their will?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe question of the hon. Gentleman implies that the people are not to have sovereigns if they wish to have them.
§ Mr. MACMASTEROn what authority has the successor to the late King been named?
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it on the assumption that he was personally agreeable to the majority of his subjects?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes.