HC Deb 24 November 1884 vol 294 cc277-80
MR. M'COAN

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is now the intention of Her Majesty's Government to offer to the Government of the Khedive any advice founded on Lord North-brook's Report?

MR. GLADSTONE

It would be premature to give an answer to this Question, because, as I have already stated, Her Majesty's Government have been preparing a plan which it is their intention and which they are on the point of submitting to the European Powers. Upon that approval would depend in many points of detail the advice Her Majesty's Government may give to the Government of the Khedive. We cannot give any information about it until we know if that plan will meet with the approval of the European Powers.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Can the right hon. Gentleman form any opinion when that approval is likely to be received?

MR. GLADSTONE

No, Sir, I really cannot, because the Powers may have to communicate together; but I do not think the delay will be very long. At the same time, I cannot undertake to say when the Powers will communicate their reply, and consequently when the plan will be laid upon the Table.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

When will the plan be laid before the Powers?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think I may say immediately.

MR. MARRIOTT

Will the plan be in accordance with Lord Northbrook's Report?

MR. GLADSTONE

It would be still more absolutely premature for me to say whether it would or not.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

May I ask the Prime Minister, whether he did not state last Session, before the Conference met, that the financial condition of Egypt was one of the utmost urgency? I wish to know whether that condition of urgency has passed away?

MR. GLADSTONE

No, Sir; it still continues to be urgent. Some measures have been taken, but with considerable inconvenience, for the purpose of meeting the difficulty for a time; but the urgency still continues.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Then are we to understand that, in spite of Egyptian Finance being in a condition of the utmost urgency, the Prime Minister is totally unable to state any period at which he is likely to make a statement to the House?

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

Are the plans of the Government, which are to be communicated to the other Powers, also to be submitted to a Legislative Council in Egypt, instituted by a Decree of the Khedive on the recommendation of Lord Duffer in that all Budgets are to be laid before the Assembly?

MR. GLADSTONE

The plan of which I have spoken has no connection with the Legislative Council.

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the statement reported to have been made on Thursday in the French Senate by M. de Freycinet, to the effect that England intended to propose a second Conference on Egyptian Affairs, is correct; whether an assurance will be given to the House that before any such Conference meets Lord Northbrook's Report, together with the proposals of Her Majesty's Government on the subject, will be laid upon the Table; and, whether he will give an assurance that no separate agreement will be made with another Power or Powers which would restrict the action of this Country, either as regards finance or general policy in Egypt, before an opportunity is given to the House of discussing the question?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think the hon. Gentleman must have put the Question under some misapprehension. We have not received, nor is it likely we shall receive, any official information with regard to the statement of a private Member of the Senate of France upon his own responsibility. M. de Freycinet is not a Member of the French Government, and he has no official information. Whatever he stated, I have no doubt he stated in perfect good faith, but undoubtedly in error. There is no proposal for a Conference before the European Powers, or about to be before them. That disposes of the second part of the Question. With regard to the third part, as regards finance, I believe most explicit assurances have been given; but to say that the Government would not agree with anybody to do anything with regard to Egypt until it brought the particular matter before the House would be an entire abdication of the functions of the Government.

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

I would like to ask whether it is in the power of the Government to establish, with other Powers, a system of Multiple Control without consulting the House of Commons?

MR. GLADSTONE

I am not sure that that is a Question within the fair scope of Questions; but, as I under- stand, a Multiple Control is for the management of finance, and the Government will take very good care, as I have said, not to trench on the functions of Parliament.