The protection of trade routes was the most important reason for the British Interest in the Eastern Question. How far do you agree with this view?

To a certain extent Trade was paramount for Britain in the Eastern Question. For example at the Treaty of Paris in 1856, Russia was denied access to the Black Sea straits and this demilitarization continued until 1870. This could be argued that trade was important in stopping Russian expansion into the Mediterranean. Also, after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Britain was keen to ensure that her trade route to India was maintained and therefore the demilitarization of the Black Sea was helpful in achieving this aim. However, it was to be undermined when Russia placed her fleet there and provoked the Turks and British into reacting. Therefore, it clearly suggests that trade was the underpinning factor in Britain's interest in the Eastern Question. Furthermore, the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 highlighted the need for Russia to have access to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Yet Turkey reacted by ignoring Britain's offer of help and sought a friendly alliance with Germany. In summary, Trade was very important to Britain and it could be argued it dictated their involvement in the Eastern question.
However, it could be argued that the Balance of Power was more important than Trade in trying to answer the Eastern Question. There were numerous attempts by the Great Powers to solve this question ranging from the Vienna Note of 1853 to the Congress of Berlin in 1878. Both the Andrassy Note and Vienna Note were attempts by Austria to offer solutions to the economic and religious problems with Turkey; but to no avail - the Sultan was happy to manipulate the situation. All of which were attempts to maintain an equilibrium within Europe. Even though these were not necessarily successful, British interests were tied up with trying to maintain a cohesive Ottoman Empire in order to prevent Russian expansion South-Eastwards. So it could be argued that the Balance of Power was more important to British interests than Trade; if GB could maintain the Balance of Power then she would be able to trade peacefully and uphold her super-power status.