HC Deb 07 July 1884 vol 290 cc198-9
MR. GOURLEY

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Mr. Clifford Lloyd, as acting Minister of the Interior, took any practical steps, as desired by the inhabitants of Alexandria and Damietta, to improve the sanitary condition of those cities; whether, during his administration in Egypt, he ever submitted any, and, if so, what scheme to the British or Egyptian authorities for the purpose of dealing summarily, or otherwise, with prisoners waiting for trial; whether the Egyptian Government opposed or interfered with the reforms effected in the prisons at Cairo by Dr. Crookshank; and, whether Mr. Clifford Lloyd, when conferring with the National Assembly, opposed free discussion, and invariably vetoed the decisions of the majority when contrary to his own views?

MR. COLERIDGE KENNARD

said, that, before the noble Lord answered the Question, he should wish to ask whether it was not the case that Mr. Clifford Lloyd did submit a complete sanitary scheme, which gave satisfaction to the inhabitants of Alexandria and of Damietta, but which was suppressed by Nubar Pasha?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Mr. Clifford Lloyd was not Acting Minister of the Interior, but Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of the Interior. In that capacity he made certain recommendations in relation to sanitary reforms in Alexandria, which were adopted by the Minister of the Interior. Her Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any scheme submitted by Mr. Clifford Lloyd for dealing summarily, or otherwise, with prisoners waiting for trial; but he released a certain number without trial. Her Majesty's Government are not aware that the Egyptian Government opposed or interfered with Dr. Crookshank's proceedings in relation to prison reform in Cairo. Her Majesty's Government have no information confirming the statements in the fourth paragraph of the hon. Member's Question.

MR. GOURLEY

asked whether the noble Lord would make inquiry into the course pursued by Mr. Clifford Lloyd when conferring with the National Assembly?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I do not think that Mr. Clifford Lloyd's conduct could well be made a subject of inquiry by the Foreign Office, especially as he is no longer in an official position in Egypt.

MR. COLERIDGE KENNARD

asked whether the Government would inquire whether Mr. Clifford Lloyd did submit a scheme for sanitary improvement, which was suppressed by Nubar Pasha?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I said that he made certain recommendations, which were adopted by the Minister of the Interior; but whether they were carried out or not I cannot say.

MR. GORST

Is not Mr. Clifford Lloyd receiving pay from the Egyptian Government as being in its service?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

The Question is not upon the Paper.