HC Deb 17 September 1886 vol 309 cc779-81
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Sir Drummond Wolff is still employed by the Government in Egypt; if so, what particular work he is doing there; whether it is true that he is receiving £5,000 a-year; and, whether the Government will recall Sir Drummond Wolff and let the Egyptians manage and save the £5,000 a-year for some other purpose?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL) (Paddington, S.)

Sir Henry Drummond Wolff is still employed by Her Majesty's Government in Egypt. He is engaged with the Turkish Commissioner, Moukhtar Pasha, in carrying out the general re-organization of Egyptian administration contemplated by the Convention of 1885, and important proposals made by him, with a view to ulterior arrangements, are now under the consideration of the Government. He is being remunerated at the rate of £5,000 a-year by the British Government, and not by the Egyptian Government, as the hon. Member supposes. The Government do not intend to recall Sir Henry Drummond Wolff before his duties have been discharged, and are of opinion that his continued presence in Egypt is highly desirable, on the ground both of British and Egyptian interests, which his diplomatic skill and experience and extensive knowledge of Eastern affairs have already done much to harmonize and promote.

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

May I ask the noble Lord whether Moukhtar Pasha has associated himself with Sir Henry Drummond Wolff with any other object than that of military re-organization?

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir. The hon. Member has only to look to the terms of the Convention to satisfy himself on that point.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked, whether the Government would consult the House of Commons before committing itself to any proposals on the subject of Egypt?

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Of course, the Government must always bear in mind, in the course of any arrangements they may make in the exercise of the prerogative of the Crown with Foreign Powers, that their action will be eventually controlled by the House of Commons.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

explained that in regard to the salary of Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, he did not intend by the wording of his Question to imply that it was paid by the Egyptian Treasury; but that this payment out of the funds of the British taxpayer was objected to by large numbers of people, who felt that he was doing nothing at all for it. ["Order!"]