MR. SULLIVANI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a Question of which I have given him private Notice, Whether he has any objection to explain more clearly to the House on the part of Her Majesty's Government, the intimation of the Home Secretary, that England would defend Egypt from interference or attack, and the points I wish to be explained are these—Firstly, whether it is the meaning or intention of Her Majesty's Government to enable 498 Egypt by the supply of troops to participate as a belligerent in the Turco-Russian War without incurring the danger of retaliating hostilities; secondly, whether the House is to understand from the language of the Home Secretary that Her Majesty's Government intend, in the event of Russia so retaliating upon Egypt by an attack upon Alexandria, to employ the British arms against Russia; and, lastly, whether the intimation to Turkey and Egypt that their chief ports will be more or less protected by England against Russian hostilities is not a substantial contribution to their available strength in the war, and a departure from strict neutrality by this country?
§ MR. SPEAKERIf the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer thinks proper to answer that Question, it is not for me to interfere; but I am bound to say to the hon. Member that a Question of that character should be submitted to the House in the form of a Motion, as it involves matters of argument and debate.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERAll that I can say, in answer to the hon. Gentleman, is that the Question is one which it is impossible for me to answer.