HC Deb 01 March 1883 vol 276 c1171
MR. ONSLOW

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, or, if he cannot answer, I will give Notice that I will ask the Prime Minister on Monday, What is the reason, after he has pledged himself to the production of Papers with regard to the payment by this country or by India of the cost of the Indian Expedition to Egypt, that he has changed his mind?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I thought I had stated the reason. I said I fully expected the publication of this Correspondence would be necessary. As long as there was a difference of opinion, it might be necessary for the House to decide between the Government of India and Her Majesty's Government at home; but, having arrived at a decision on that subject, we thought there would be a disadvantage to India from the publication of the Correspondence, which I admit was in its earlier stages of a rather controversial character. I do not say that was a good reason; but that is the reason.

MR. ONSLOW

asked whether the Papers to be produced would give the House as fully as possible an idea of what were the controversial points?

[No reply was given.]