§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Great Powers consented to the increase of the Turkish Customs duties by 4 per cent. on condition that the proceeds should be spent upon reforms in European Turkey; and whether the condition imposed by the Powers has been carried out?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Powers have not consented to an increase of the Turkish Customs duties by 4 per cent. In April, 1907, they assented to an increase of those duties by 3 per cent., namely, from 8 per cent. to 11 per cent., for seven years, one of the conditions of their assent being that such part of the profit derived from this increase as should remain at the disposal of the Turkish Government should be devoted to the financial needs of the three Roumelian vilayets. It was further stipulated that the Turkish Government should meet annually an eventual deficit in the Budget of those vilayets to the amount of £250,000 Turkish. I have no information to show that the Turkish Government have failed to fulfil their obligations in this respect.