HC Deb 07 June 1882 vol 270 cc364-5
MR. M COAN

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in the event of the Porte declining to take part in the Conference on Egyptian affairs, the Conference will still be held; and, in case it be not held, whether the English and French Governments will enforce compliance with the terms of their recent joint requisition to the Egyptian Ministry, or, failing the active co-operation of France, Her Majesty's Government will them selves take the necessary military measures to put down the revolutionary movement and restore the status quo in Egypt? The Question appeared in the Paper that day instead of yesterday, in consequence of a clerical error, and if more convenient to the hon. Baronet, he would postpone it till to-morrow.

MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

said, that before his hon. Friend replied he wished to put a Question to him with reference to a despatch from Sir Edward Malet. The following words were used in the despatch:— The first idea which has occurred to us all is that the ex-Khedive, Prince Halim, and the Porte itself are behind the scenes. It is impossible to prove that they are not. He wished to ask, Whether the Foreign Office were in possession of any information upon that subject?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, I must answer the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Mr. Arthur Arnold) in the negative. I may point out that the extract referred to is from a despatch of September last, and does not apply to the present circumstances. With regard to the Question that stands upon the Paper, I fear I must refer my hon. Friend (Mr. M'Coan) to the reply I gave on Monday to the right hon. Gentleman on the Front Bench opposite (Mr. Bourke). It would not be for the public interest that I should at the present time make any further statement, or discuss the matter referred to in the Question, relating as it does to a serious and delicate matter, one which it is not easy to discuss in answer to a Question.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

The hon. Baronet the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said, in one of his answers yesterday, that the object of the Government was the restoration of order in Egypt. Perhaps the hon. Baronet will be able to state, Whether the Government have any information showing that order has been disturbed in Egypt by the continuance in office of ArabiBey?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, the Question turns on the meaning you attach to the word "order." When the Papers come out I think my hon. Friend will see that order, in one sense, has been very considerably disturbed in Egypt.