§ 18. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the criticism that has been levelled at the late Lord Kitchener in the Report of the Dardanelles Commission for delay in making provision for a land force, he will state at what date the negotiations with the Greek Government in the matter of providing such a force broke down be cause of the objections raised by Russia as stated by a subsequent Greek Premier, M. Skouloudis, in an interview?
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWill the right hon. Gentleman do it in any other manner? As these are facts which are Known to the enemy, there is no question of disclosing facts to the enemy, and as they serve to show that a diplomatic blunder has to be taken into account, and as Lord Kitchener is being criticised, why should not all the facts be known to this House and the country?
Mr. BALFOURI have not the least desire to conceal any facts, or to encourage any other people to conceal any facts which would not be of service to the enemy. What I say is—and I think the House will agree with me—that I protest 1070 against the idea of joining in cross-examining about a Commission by question and answer across the House. I cannot act the part of a Commissioner inquiring into a Commission.
§ 19. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he will cause to be placed in the Library a translation of the Official Report of the debate which took place in the Greek Chamber of Deputies in November, 1915, when. M. Venizelos stated the proposals which his Government had made to Britain, France, and Russia regarding Greek assistance in the projected attack on the Dardanelles?
Mr. BALFOURI do not think it a desirable practice to translate and print at the public expense debates in foreign Parliaments.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this debate, which covered the whole question of the Dardanelles Expedition, has been published and known to every enemy country, and contained very valuable information? Why should it not be available to Members of this House?
Mr. BALFOURI think the hon. Member has put his supplementary question under a misapprehension. I did not suggest that this course ought not to be pursued because the facts are known to the enemy. I said it is an undesirable practice to translate and publish the debates in a foreign Parliament at the public expense.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEI only asked if they would be placed in the Library.