HC Deb 19 July 1937 vol 326 cc1788-9W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there is reason to believe that the Turkish Government have, within the last few days, concentrated a considerable number of troops in the neighbourhood of the disputed vilayet of Alexandretta; whether the complete interruption of all telephonic and telegraphic communications between Turkey and foreign countries during the first week of July was in any way concerned with these troop movements; and whether His Majesty's Government have any information as to whether the French Government desire to enter into negotiations with Ataturk Kemal and his Government, with the concurrence of the League of Nations, in order that these differences may be settled and thus remove the temptation for other interested Powers to exploit this position for their own purposes?

Viscount Cranborne

As regards the first two parts of the question, my right hon. Friend has no information to show that the Turkish Government have recently concentrated troops in the neighbourhood of the Sanjak of Alexandretta or that there has been a complete interruption of telephonic and telegraphic communications between Turkey and foreign countries during the first week of July. As regards the third part of the question, the points at issue have been settled by a resolution adopted by the Council of the League of Nations on 29th May.

Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made by the Turkish Government regarding the protracted negotiations referred to the League of Nations by Turkey concerning the rights of the Turkish majority in the Sanjak of Alexandretta; and whether, as a dangerous situation is likely to develop if this matter continues to exasperate the Turks, who desire to obtain an equable solution of what they regard as a question of great national importance, he can state when the decision of the League of Nations is likely to be known?

Viscount Cranborne

The question of the future status of the Sanjak of Alexandretta, which was referred by the Turkish Government to the League of Nations in December last, was finally settled on 29th May by the adoption by the Council of the League of a resolution providing for the establishment of a special regime in the Sanjak whereby the Sanjak will enjoy a large measure of autonomy while remaining under the sovereignty of Syria.