57. Mr. DOYLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fact that the attempt to float a Greek loan of £15,000,000 in London is greatly resented by Moslems alike in the Near and Far East, and is taken to indicate sympathy with the Greek Government in its crusade against Turkey and Mahommedanism; and will he reconsider the policy of this loan?
§ Sir R. HORNEIn accordance with the general policy of His Majesty's Government not to intervene in the matter of issues of loans in the London market, it is open either to Greece or to Turkey (including the Angora Government) to raise loans in London if the market is willing to lend, and no question of the political sympathies of His Majesty's Government arises.
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNORMay I ask my right hon. Friend a supplementary question? In this question to-day, the statement is made that to indicate sympathy with the Greek Government is crusading against the Turks and the Mahommedans. Is it not the fact that the Greek Government has placed itself entirely in the hands of the British Government as a mediator for the purpose of bringing to an end the struggle between themselves and the Turkish forces?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am afraid that does not arise on a question relating to a financial loan.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question is not one that should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. O'CONNORBut, Mr. Speaker, may I—
§ Mr. SPEAKERPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will put his question down.
§ Mr. O'CONNORYes, I will put it down; but may I explain that I only intervened for the purpose of challenging what I thought was an entire misrepresentation of the facts. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]
Mr. DOYLEI see the Attorney-General present. May I have an answer from him. [HON. MEMBEUS: "Order, order!"]