HC Deb 06 July 1882 vol 271 cc1625-6
SIR WILFRID LAWSON

My hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Government, declined yesterday to give any information as to what is going on at Alexandria, and I am not going to ask him a Question about that now. But I wish to ask a Question concerning a report which has appeared in an influential quarter, and to know whether there is any ground for the report published in The Times this morning, which states that— If Arabi Pasha does not cease the construction of works and mounting of guns, Admiral Sir Beauchamp Seymour will at once proceed to fire on the works, and bombard the defences of Alexandria. I merely wish to ask whether The Times newspaper has any authority from the Foreign Office to make that statement?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The Foreign Office never gives authority to any journal. I cannot give my hon. Friend any information as to the nature of the instructions of Sir Beauchamp Seymour, because those instructions are Admiralty instructions; and a few days ago my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty declined, in answer to a Question, to state what they are.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

I did not ask for that, but whether The Times had authority to make the statement?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I shall not ask any Question with regard to the Fleet; but I trust that Admiral Seymour has full authority to take any step he may deem necessary for the protection of British lives and property.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

I beg to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is justified in getting up and expressing his opinion in favour of war being made on Egypt?

[No answer was given.]