§ 48. Lord ROBERT CECILasked the Prime Minister when was the telegram sent to Admiral de Robeck announcing the decision of the Peace Conference not to put an end to Turkish rule in Constantinople; and when was that decision arrived at?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe telegram to Admiral de Robeck was sent on the evening of February 16th. The decision of the Peace Conference was arrived at on the previous day.
§ Lord R. CECILThat was Monday, the same day the question was asked in the House.
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNORMay I ask whether at Question time of the day on which this despatch was sent to Admiral de Robeck any intimation, suggestion, or even hint was given to the House of Commons of what the decision of the Government was?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs far as I know, the decision to which I referred was only arrived at in the afternoon of the 16th. Therefore it could not by any possibility have been announced to the House of Commons before the following day.
§ Mr. DEVLINWere your minds made up at the time you were addressing the House of Commons?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI was not addressing the House of Commons.