§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, with the permission of the noble Viscount opposite, I should like to ask him whether he is able to give the House any further information as to the situation in South-Eastern Europe.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (VISCOUNT MORLEY)My Lords, I am afraid I have very little information to give, indeed hardly any. Your Lordships are already acquainted from the public prints with the important fact that war has been declared by Austria-Hungary against Servia. All Europe, need hardly say, is keenly alive to the far-reaching possibilities that are brought into view by this step. As to the best way of averting the spread of the war beyond the area immediately and primarily concerned all the other Powers are engaged in active communications. As to the part of His Majesty's Government in these international communications there is nothing to add, I think, to what was said yesterday afternoon by my noble friend the Leader of the House. Your Lordships may rest assured of, the earnest and unremitting efforts of His Majesty's Government, well acquainted as they are with all the complications and difficulties of the European position, to aid the cause of international peace and to avoid a vast catastrophe.