§ MR. JOSEPH COWEN (Newcastle-on-Tyne)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, when the Italians took possession of Massowah, any arrangement was made with them for the permanent occupation of that place; and, if so, can he state the terms of the agreement; and, whether, in the event of the British Army leaving Suakin, any arrangement has been made with the Italian Government for the permanent retention of Massowah, or for keeping the peace of the Soudan?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BRYCE) (Aberdeen, S.)No arrangement has been made with the Italian Government for the permanent occupation of Massowah. Lord Granville informed the Italian Ambassador, on the 23rd of December, 1884, that if the Italian Government wished to occupy any of the ports in the Red Sea relinquished by the Egyptian Government, it was a matter for arrangement between the Italian Government and the Porte. (Blue Book, Egypt, No. 14, 1885, page 70.) No arrangement has been made with the Italian Government for the retention of Massowah, or for keeping the peace of the Soudan in the event of the British Army leaving Suakin.
§ MR. JOSEPH COWENAre the Italian Government paying the expenses of the occupation themselves, or the Egyptian Government, or is any other Government contributing to the expenses of the occupation?
§ MR. BRYCESo far as I can answer that Question without Notice, I believe the Italian Government are paying it all themselves.