HC Deb 11 July 1889 vol 338 cc120-2
SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, what is the Military position at present on the Nile?

MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question will he tell the House, so far as he can, what is the present position of the British troops which are being sent out to Egypt?

MR. E. STANHOPE

The last estimate of the force with which Wad El N'jumi is invading Eygpt places is at 6,000 men with 800 camels. A telegram received this morning reports that this force marched yesterday seven miles, and is now three miles south of Abu Simbel. It is, therefore, about 33 miles north of Wady Halfa. Sir Francis Grenfell, the Sirdar, is at Assouan, and reinforcements, including some British troops, are proceeding there. In consequence of the necessity of strengthening the garrison of Upper Egypt, the general officer commanding in Egypt has asked for two more battalions of infantry. The Dorsetshire Regiment from Malta and the Yorkshire Regiment from Cyprus will accordingly be sent to Egypt temporarily.

SIR G. CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)

I wish to ask whether the obligation which Her Majesty's Government declare they have to defend Egypt implies that the defence is to be made at the expense of the British taxpayer?

MR. E. STANHOPE

The obligation remains exactly as it was; there is no new obligation.

SIR G. CAMPBELL

What I want to know is whether Her Majesty's Government interprets the obligation to mean that Egypt is to be defended at the expense of the British taxpayer?

MR. E. STANHOPE

The first thing to be done is to defend Egypt.

SIR W. LAWSON

Is it true that a proclamation has been issued on behalf of the Egyptian Forces, declaring that if the natives are found trafficking with the Dervishes the penalty of death will be inflicted?

MR.LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us specifically what is a Dervish in contradistinction to an inhabitant of the Soudan under the orders, I presume, of the de facto Government of the Soudan?

MR. E. STANHOPE

I have not received any information as to the proclamation, but I see from the morning papers that it is said to have been issued. When I do I will communicate it to the House. With regard to the other question I am afraid I am not strictly able to define a Dervish, but whatever a Dervish may be he is at present engaged in invading Egypt.

SIR W. LAWSON

Is it true as stated that Turkey has suggested the sending of Turkish troops to Egypt to reinforce the British Army?

MR. E. STANHOPE

I think the hon. Member had better put that question to the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

MR. PICTON (Leicester)

I wish to ask whether one great reason for anxiety is the earnest desire of the Egyptian population to receive these Dervishes?

MR. E. STANHOPE

So far as any information reaches us Egypt has prospered enormously during the time that England—[An hon. MEMBER: "Great Britain"]—Great Britain has occupied that country, and the great bulk of the population have undoubtedly derived enormous benefits from that occupation.

MR. PICTON

I did not ask whether Egypt had prospered. I asked whether one cause for anxiety was the earnest desire of the Egyptian native population to receive and welcome these Dervishes?

MR. E. STANHOPE

I have no reason to think that the people of Egypt desire that a force of Dervishes should invade their country and massacre them.