§ THE EARL OF DERBYhaving presented (by Command) Papers relating to the Eastern Question — being Turkey, Nos. 8 to 12 (1877)—
§ EARL GRANVILLEI presume the noble Earl has laid on the Table the Papers with regard to the Protocol, which have already been presented to 1052 the other House? Can he give their Lordships any information in regard to the answer of the Porte in reference to the Protocol?
§ THE EARL OF DERBYThey are included in the Papers I have laid upon the Table. In answer to the noble Earl's Question, I received yesterday from the Turkish Ambassador the answer of the Porte to the propositions contained in the Protocol of the 31st of March. I thought it desirable that this document should be in the hands of Parliament as soon as possible, and accordingly I have just laid it on the Table. I hope it will be in the hands of noble Lords to-morrow.
§ EARL GRANVILLEWill the Papers which the noble Earl promises include those laid on the Table of the other House since the Easter Recess?
§ THE EARL OF DERBYCertainly. All those Papers.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI will take the liberty of asking—Can the noble Earl, without inconvenience to the public service, give the House any information as to the present position of the question?
§ THE EARL OF DERBYI think the only explanation which it is in my power to give as to the present state of affairs is contained in the documents to which the noble Earl's previous Questions referred, and which I have just laid on the Table. When your Lordships have read the reply of the Porte to the Protocol and the Protocol itself, you will be in a position to judge as to the nature of that reply and the inferences to be drawn from it. I am bound to say that, to my mind, it is not one of a satisfactory character, or one that holds out much hope of a peaceful settlement.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI beg to give Notice that on Monday next I will call the attention of the House to the Papers laid upon the Table relating to the Protocol signed 31st March, 1877.