MR. G. W. ELLIOTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the ships sent to Alexandria were of such a draught that they were able to enter the port; and, if so, whether they were now riding inside the port?
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONasked the Under Secretary of State, Whether he 1616 could now state what opportunity the House would be afforded for expressing an opinion as to the policy of our intervention in Egyptian affairs before the British Fleet was called upon to take action?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLinquired Whether the Fleet was in the harbor of Alexandria, or in the Mediterranean Sea?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEsaid, he could not answer the Question of the hon. Baronet (Sir Wilfrid Lawson) without Notice. As to the Question of the hon. Member opposite (Mr. G. Elliot), that was one which could be more properly answered by the Secretary to the Admiralty; but as the hon. Gentleman was not at present in his place, he would state that the English and French ships consisted of two ironclads, two smaller ships, and two gunboats; they were inside the port of Alexandria at the present time, and had been selected as having such draught of water as would enable them to enter the port.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked whether it was true, as reported in the papers, that British subjects had left Cairo in alarm for Alexandria?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI have not heard that that is the case.