§ 7. Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of the proposal to send representatives of the Great Powers to inquire into the alleged atrocities in Asia Minor; whether the Greeks and the Angora Turks, respectively, have consented or refused; and whether His Majesty's Government arc aware that serious outrages upon the subject races, and much loss of life, is still being reported from the territory under Kemalist control?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The French, Italian, and United States Governments have accepted in principle the proposals of His Majesty's Government, but certain conditions and modifications in the original proposals have been suggested, and are at present under discussion. Pending a decision on these points, no formal notification of the proposal to send these commissions has been made either to the Angora Assembly or to the Greek Government, but it is understood that the Greek Government agree to the despatch of a commission to Greek occupied territory in Asia Minor. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this long delay is costing human life?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHYes; I am bearing that very carefully in mind, and there has been no delay on the part of His Majesty's Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not extremely probable that the last Armenian will have been massacred before these details have been settled by the four Foreign Offices?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I greatly regret that there should be any delay whatever.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill His Majesty's Government press the other Governments concerned?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHYes; they are doing so.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhose fault is the delay at present—the French Government's?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI have nothing to add.