§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH—in rising to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what restrictions had been laid by the Turkish Government on British subjects travelling in Palestine and Syria; and whether any correspondence on the subject could be laid before Parliament—said: Some time ago it came to my notice that certain restrictions had been placed on travellers in Asia Minor. The subject is of some interest, because, as the House is aware, very important explorations have been going on for years, and have now reached a point when, speaking as a member of the Palestine Exploration Fund, I may say that we hope we are on the eve of still more important discoveries. This can hardly be regarded as a private enterprise, because some of the most distinguished savants in France and Germany have been engaged in the work, and our own Government have given at different times the services of such eminent men as Sir Charles Warren, Sir C. Wilson, and the late General Gordon. I will conclude by asking the noble Earl whether he can lay any papers on the Table.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (the Earl of KIMBERLEY)Early in February 703 the Porte issued orders to the Government in Beyrout that travelling passports should not be granted to foreigners without authority, but when the inconvenience that would be caused by those regulations was pointed out the orders were at once withdrawn. That being the case, it seems to me that it will not be necessary to produce any correspondence, which, in fact, consists, only of one or two short telegrams.
§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTHThe exploration can go on as it did before?
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYI am not able to say. The explorations were not mentioned in the question upon the Paper, so I have not armed myself with information on that point. But as regards the permission to travel, matters remain in exactly the same position as before.