HC Deb 03 April 1922 vol 152 cc1847-9
Mr. T. P. O'CONNOR

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the telegram from the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Archbishop of Canterbury in which he states that on 25th February 20 Greek villages were destroyed by fire in the region of Kerassunde, in the Pontus, by the order of Osman Agha, Major of Kerassunde and Kemalist military commander, and on 1st March the villages of Beislan, Pozat, Topekeny, and Kiavourhiki were also burned down, the inhabitants—consisting only of women and children—who were previously imprisoned in the houses, having completely perished in the flames, and whether adequate steps have been taken at the recent Paris Conference to ensure the protection of Christians in the Pontus and other regions in the Near East, and to put an end to these horrible massacres?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, while at present no definite decision can be announced, my hon. Friend may rest assured that the arrangements drawn up in Paris, in consultation with the competent military authorities, provide for the presence of Allied officers in the areas mentioned, for the object of preventing massacres and other outrages. Until, however, the Turkish reply is received, no pressure can be exercised other than the public opinion of the civilised world.

Mr. MILLS

Is there any intention of carrying out the terms of our pledged word to Armenia during the War to reserve a portion of Armenia from Turkish sovereignty?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The hon. Member has no doubt seen the statement issued in connection with the Paris Conference.

Mr. O'CONNOR

May I ask the Leader of the House whether an opportunity will be given to the House of Commons to have put before it the results of the Paris Conference on the Near East, and for a discussion to follow of the same character as that which took place in the House of Lords last week?

Sir J. D. REES

Will the hon. Gentleman have a care lest these questions, which are asked to prejudice the Turkish cause at a critical moment, are discussed in this House, and is it not better that these timely massacres should be left to investigation? [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw!"]

Sir J. D. REES

I beg to withdraw the word "timely."

Mr. SPEAKER

I have already more than once had occasion to reprove the hon. Baronet for introducing insinuations into supplementary questions. I must tell him and other hon. Members that I shall take the strongest stand against that misuse of the opportunity of asking supplementary questions.

Sir J. D. REES

I withdraw the word "timely," which was used in the sense of "occasional."

Mr. O'CONNOR

May I not appeal to you, Mr. Speaker, as the guardian of the liberties and the honour of this House, to make a declaration that the adjective and the idea just set forth by the hon. Baronet are a base misrepresentation of the feeling of this House?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Baronet's use of English is unusual. The word "timely" as he used it, I am sure, would shock the conscience of the whole House.

Sir J. D. REES

May I point out that it is invariably the case that whenever the Turk and Greek question comes up, a massacre is at that moment reported—a massacre which may not have happened at that particular time? I intended—

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the hon. Baronet had better keep a little more control over his tongue.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

May I now answer the question put to me by the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool? I am afraid that the only opportunity I can offer before Easter is on the Motion for the Adjournment for the Easter Recess.

Mr. O'CONNOR

Is it not an intolerable outrage upon the liberties and rights of this House that, while a full-dress Debate and a full statement on a great international transaction are given to the House of Lords, the House of Commons should be deprived of a like opportunity of discussing such an important matter?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

If we had no more business to do than the other House, and if we did the business we have to do as expeditiously, it would be much easier for me to provide opportunities for discussions that are demanded. My hon. Friend will know that not infrequently it happens that one House has a discussion when either the other House does not think one necessary, or does not find it convenient to have one at the same time. I do not think that in the statement made by my Noble Friend in another place there was any large addition to the information already before this House and the country.

Mr. MILLS

Will the Leader of the House give a promise that after the Easter Recess a day will be available for debate, for obviously on the Motion for Adjournment any hon. Member can raise any subject whatever?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

That is why the Motion for the Adjournment for Easter is a good opportunity for raising this subject. Should the subject not be raised then, it is always possible to put down the Foreign Office Vote after Easter, if there be a responsible demand from the proper quarters, and to take the discussion then.