§ 36. Mr. LYLE-SAMUELasked the Prime Minister whether he can state when the termination of the War will take place in terms of the Termination of the War Act; and, if he cannot give an approximate date, whether he will introduce an amending Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Termination of the Present War (Definition) Act, 25 1918, provides that the date of the termination of the War shall be as nearly as possible the date of the deposit of ratifications of the last Treaty of Peace. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs there not going to be some limit to this matter? Surely it was never contemplated that the Turkish Treaty of Peace would be so long delayed? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable to put an end to this?
§ Sir F. BANBURYDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember his answer to me during the Debate on the Address, when he said he hoped that the declaration of peace would be made within about a fortnight of that time?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, no.
§ Sir F. BANBURYYes.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not want to enter into an argument about that. We can always refer to the OFFICIAL REPORT. I can hardly believe that I made so definite a statement. I did not anticipate that there would be a settlement within a fortnight. I might have expressed some hope that there would be a settlement within a very short time; but, at any rate, it is clear that there must be some settlement at an early date between Turkey and Greece and all the other Powers. We can hardly leave it open indefinitely. Therefore if the House will wait for a short time it will be in a better position to understand what has happened. The Turkish delegates have promised on their return to place the terms offered before their Assembly, and to let us know in five or six weeks. That would be in another three or four weeks.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman received any information as to the alleged defeat of the Greeks at Eskishehr?