§ 45. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether our representative in Constantinople protested against, or joined in any protest against, the prohibition of the sale of, alcohol in Constantinople in accordance with Turkish law; and, if so, whether that protest was made- on instructions from His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. R. McNEILLThe Allied High Commissioners at Constantinople recently caused a verbal notification to be made to the Turkish authorities to the effect that, pending the ratification of the Treaty of Peace whereby economic matters will he definitely settled, they could not admit of any interference by the Turkish authorities with the existing rights of subjects of the occupying Powers in matters of this nature. The action of the British High Commissioner in this matter has the approval of His Majesty's Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask why His Majesty's Government objects to the prohibition of the sale of alcohol in Constantinople?
§ Mr. McNEILLI did not say the Government objected to the prohibition of the sale of alcohol in Constantinople. What I said was that they could not admit any infringement of the rights of the occupying Powers, pending the ratification of the treaty of. peace.