HC Deb 01 August 1883 vol 282 c1294
VISCOUNT FOLKESTONE

said, that, seeing the Financial Secretary to the War Office in his place, he wished to ask him whether, in view of the report which had appeared in The Daily News that the health of the troops in Cairo was very bad, he had received any information from Egypt on the subject which he could communicate to the House?

SIR ARTHUR HAYTER

In reply to my noble Friend, I have to inform him that no telegram has been received up to half-past 5 o'clock to-day, when I left the War Office; but since I have been sitting here I have received a note from the Under Secretary of State to the following effect:—"Telegram just come in. It is simply, 'General health as last report.'" My noble Friend will recollect that the last telegram was a satisfactory one; and I beg to assure him—and the House will also be glad to hear—that there is no foundation for the startling rumours to which he has referred.

In answer to Mr. O'KELLY,

SIR ARTHUR HAYTER

said, that he did not think that the number of men on the roll of the sick could possibly be given; but the number of those who had died, with their regimental numbers, had already been sent to the papers.