HC Deb 27 November 1917 vol 99 cc1832-3
Mr. BLISS(by Private Notice)

asked the hon. Member for Central Sheffield (Mr. James Hope) whether the English members of the deputation to the Turkish Government to deal with matters relating to the exchange of prisoners of war have yet been appointed, and, if so, will he tell the House the names of the deputation?

Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

My Noble Friend, Lord Newton and Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Belfield, left this morning for Berne to meet Mouhktar Pasha and other Turkish delegates, with a view to arranging an exchange of prisoners. They are accompanied by Mr. O'Reilly, of the Prisoners of War Department, and Captain Gattie, of the War Office.

Mr. BLISS

Is there any one member of that deputation who possesses special knowledge and experience of the Turkish Empire, and, if so, will the hon. Gentleman give his name?

Mr. HOPE

I understand that the British representatives will have the benefit of the assistance of Mr. Mathews, who is already in Switzerland and who acted as dragoman in Constantinople at the commencement of the War.

Mr. BLISS

Is he a British subject?

Mr. HOPE

I think he must be. I understood that he was a member of the Consular Service.

Mr. TENNANT

Is it not the case that Lord Newton himself served as a diplomat in Constantinople?

Mr. HOPE

He certainly did in the Balkans. I am not quite sure whether he did in Constantinople.