§ 10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he receives regular reports of conditions in Montenegro from the British Vice-Consul at Cettinje; and whether he can say briefly what the state of the country is now?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe British Vice-Consul reports to me whenever there are matters of sufficient interest to warrant his so doing. Very few reports have been received lately and we may, therefore, assume that conditions in Montenegro are normal.
Lieut.CommanderKENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman no more exact information than the negative information that because no reports have been received everything must be all right and satisfactory?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire what is the state of affairs in this country, and may I repeat the question in a fortnight?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI may receive a further Report from the Vice-Consul in the meantime, but I rather deprecate being requested to ask for a report without a prima facie case for making inquiries being submitted to me. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman cares to write to me privately and explain the reasons why he asks for a report, I will consider the matter.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOf course I will do that, but surely the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that very grave charges have been made about fee state of affairs in that country, and that, as we are signatures to the Treaty handing over the country to Serbia, we are entitled to get some information?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will send me the grounds for his request, and state what is the information which he wants, I will consider the matter.