§ MR. W. GORDONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, having regard to the present financial state of Turkey, any steps have been taken to insure the continued remittance to this Country of the securities pledged for the Guaranteed Loan of 1855, viz. the Egyptian Tribute and the Customs of Smyrna and Syria?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, in reply, said, that the engagement of the Turkish Government in connection with this loan was that the interest and sinking fund of the loan should form a charge upon the whole revenue of the Ottoman Empire, and especially on the annual amount of the tribute of Egypt which remained over and above the interest appropriated to the first loan, and, moreover, on the Customs of Smyrna and Syria. That was the security given for the loan. With regard to remittances, the Sultan engaged that he would cause to be remitted to the Bank of England, on or before certain days, one half-year's interest and sinking fund on the whole amount of the fund to be so raised, until 399 it shall be paid off. Her Majesty's Government had every reason to suppose that the Turkish Government would fulfil their obligations in the matter, and therefore no special step had been taken with regard to it.