§ 8. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communications have taken place between the French Government and His Majesty's Government with regard to the Dead Sea concessions; and with what result?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINCorrespondence has taken place between the French Government and His Majesty's Government in regard to the claim of a French group to a concession, which the Turkish Government are alleged to have granted to certain Ottoman subjects before the War, for the extraction of certain substances from the waters of the Dead Sea. This concession was referred to in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the hon. and gallant Member on 17th December; and the French Government were informed on 16th April last of the reasons for which His Majesty's Government were unable to recognise its validity. A further note from the French Ambassador on the subject was received yesterday and is now under consideration.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre we to understand that the British Government have given a concession to an alien when they will not protect a Member of this House with a passport?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThere is a dispute as to the validity of a concession which is alleged to belong to Ottoman subjects.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not alleged to have been given by a previous British Government?