§ Mr. RONALD MCNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent statement of the Secretary of State with regard to Montenegro was based on the Report of Count de Salis as to the condition of that country; and whether any action has yet been taken by His Majesty's Government in consequence of that Report?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe statement of the Secretary of State was made with a full knowledge of the contents of Count de Salis' Report. It is not, of course, open to His Majesty's Government to take independent action on that Report in a matter which concerns the Supreme Council as a whole.
§ Mr. MCNEILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to an edict issued by the Serbians in military occupation of Montenegro conscripting all Montenegrin males between the ages of 18 and 38 for the formation of labour battalions; whether these battalions are intended for military operations against the compatriots of the conscripts or for forced labour for the benefit of the Serbian usurpation; and what progress has been made in carrying the edict into effect?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI have seen unofficial statements in the sense indicated in the first and second parts of my hon. and learned Friend's question, but have received no official confirmation. I shall be glad if my hon. and learned Friend will furnish me with any information at his disposal.