§ 52. Mr. A. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether the policy of the Supreme Council of creating artificial barriers to the commerce of Turkey and Bulgaria by closing the natural outlets of their ports has contributed to increased prices and unemployment in Great Britain?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House)Without accepting my hon. Friend's view of the provisions of the Treaties of Peace with Turkey and Bulgaria, there is no evidence that the stipulations of those Treaties have in any way brought about such results.
§ Mr. HERBERTAre not the ports of Smyrna and Salonika absolutely deserted, and has not the time come, in the interests of economy and for other reasons, to recognise that the Treaty of Sevres is extremely silly, and had better be allowed to drop?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI understand my hon. Friend to have addressed an argument to the House, and not a question to me.
§ 53. Mr. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether he has stated that his pledge of 5th January, 1918, that we were not fighting to deprive Turkey of its capital or of the rich and renowned lands of Asia Minor and Thrace, which are predominantly Turkish in race, was unconditional and that it had the result of improving recruiting in India; and, if so, when?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI presume my hon. Friend refers to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in the course of the Debate of the 26th February, 1920, to which I would refer him.