MR. JOSEPH COWENasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the Government have had their attention directed to the composi- 465 tion of the Commission appointed to try Arabi Pacha; and; if there is any truth in the statements that some of the Commissioners are political partizans of very questionable antecedents?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, we have no report on the antecedents of the Commissioners; but a list of their names was sent to us and read by me in the House. Although the Foreign Office, acting on the highest legal advice, has insisted on certain points thought necessary, they have no pretension to constitute the Court, or interfere in every detail of the trial.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether there is any truth in the report that it is intended to exclude the Press during the coming investigation into the conduct of Arabi Pacha, and of the other prisoners who surrendered to the British Army; and, whether, if so, Her Majesty's Government will use their good offices with the Egyptian Government to insure full publicity being given to the proceedings?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, the rules of procedure agreed upon between the advocate of the Egyptian Government and the counsel for the defence contained no provision for the exclusion of the Press; but although, as I have said, we have insisted on certain points which we thought necessary, we cannot undertake to conduct the trial from London.