§ 45. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, when proceeding to the San Remo Conference, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs was conveyed to France by a special boat, the "Biarritz," one of the newest and largest Channel steamers, the party consisting of only 26 persons, many of whom were servants and secretaries; that, for the purpose of making this journey, the "Biarritz" was taken off her regular duty of transporting and bringing home troops; and that she returned empty from France; whether on the same day His Majesty the King of Sweden travelled to France by the ordinary passenger service; whether Admiral Earl Beatty and Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson travelled to France for the purpose of attending the San Remo Conference also by the ordinary passenger service; and whether, having regard to the Government's plea for national economy, it is proposed to charge 1409 the Secretary of State personally with the cost of the special facilities in question, together with compensation for the dislocation of the ordinary trooping work of the "Biarritz"?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWSpecial facilities were necessary in order to enable the British delegation to reach Paris in time to travel by the special train which was conveying the French delegation to San Remo, and the s.s. "Biarritz" was used for this purpose. At the last moment Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson and his staff found it necessary to go to Paris earlier than had been anticipated, and Admiral Earl Beatty was detained in Scotland and was unable, as originally provided for, to travel with his staff in the "Biarritz." This reduced the number to 28 persons with the necessary archives and office appliances. I am informed that the s.s. "Biarritz" was, on the date in question, a stand-by steamer to maintain the passenger service from England to France in case of a break-down or in case the number of troops to be conveyed from England to France was in excess of the number which could be conveyed by the ordinary boat. As the boat was not required for either of these purposes on the date in question, it was available for the journey of the Peace delegation.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the ordinary cross-channel steamer left for Calais within three minutes of this boat leaving and that yesterday the same scandal occurred in connection with the return of the Prime Minister?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot agree with the description of my hon. Friend. I am rather surprised that he should raise a question of this character. Surely it is very natural that special arrangements should be made for a delegation of this character.
§ 56. Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked what arrangements have been made for the future of Cilicia; whether the French are still in occupation under the agreement by which they took over the country from us; whether they have now refused to accept a mandate for Cilicia; whether they accept responsibility in any form for the maintenance of law and order there; if not, what steps will be taken to safeguard the inhabitants from such 1410 massacres and outrages as recently occurred at Marash and are now threatening at Hadjin, Aintab, Sis, and other towns; and will His Majesty's Government afford protection to the large number of refugees who were sent back to Cilicia from places of safety by the British authorities?
57. Mr. WOODasked the Prime Minister whether it has been arranged at San Remo that Cilicia shall remain a part of the Turkish Empire; if so, is it considered that measures can be taken to secure the lives and liberties of the inhabitants; and what are the circumstances which indicate that such measures will prove a success in Cilicia when they have proved a failure in every other country under Turkish rule?
42. Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Prime Minister whether he is able to make a general statement on the results of the meeting of the Supreme Council at San Remo?
§ 46. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Prime Minister if he will state what are the decisions of the San Remo Conference regarding the future of Palestine, Syria, and Mesopotamia, respectively; where the northern boundary of Palestine has been fixed; and whether steps will now be taken to replace the present military administrations in Palestine and Mesopotamia by civil administrations, in order that the declared policies of the Allies may be commenced.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would ask hon. Members to await the statement which is to be made to-day by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.