§ 10. Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the position in Bulgaria; whether he can give any information concerning the sudden closing of the British Institute at Sofia; and whether it was closed by order of the Bulgarian authorities?
§ Mr. ButlerAs regards the first part of the Question, all information suggests that German preparations for an occupation of Bulgaria are now far advanced. As regards the latter part of the Question, His Majesty's Minister was given discretion to arrange for the departure of the staff of the British Institute when he considered that circumstances made it desirable to do so. I assume that he has now exercised this discretion, but he has been asked by telegraph to report.
§ Mr. CocksWill the Government inform the Bulgarian Government that unless they are prepared to defend their independence by force, they will be regarded as a hostile country and their communications will be bombed?