63. Sir J. D. REESasked the Prime Minister whether any responsibility rests upon the British Government or upon the Governments of the Allied nations for the character or denomination of the religious services held or to be held in the church of St. Sophia, at Constantinople?
Mr. HARMSWORTHAs regards the services at present held in St. Sophia, the answer is in the negative. Whether any responsibility will rest on His Majesty's Government or the Allied Governments, or any one of them, after the conclusion of peace is a question that remains to be determined.
§ 64. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information as to the proposals made for the future of St. Sophia's Church in Constantinople; whether it is to be handed over for the exclusive use or control by any sectional or national Christian community; and whether, in the event of its being no longer under Mahomedan control, it willbe placed in trust for Christendom as a whole and not for any particular Church or creed?
Mr. HARMSWORTHMy hon. and gallant Friend was invited by the Foreign Office not to put his question, on the ground that the public ventilation of the matter at the present stage can be attended with no advantage. I can give no information as to proposals for the 2232 future of the building in question, since all such proposals are addressed to the Peace Conference at Paris, with whom the solution will lie.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that the Foreign Office realises that we are the principal protectors of the Mahomedan religion in the world; and are we to understand that the Foreign Office is looking after their interests and seeing that no unnecessary outrage is done to their feelings in the matter?
§ Lieutenant-Colonel W. GUINNESSDoes the Foreign Office also realise that the Moslem community in Constantinople is more than double that of the Greek community?