§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSON (Northumberland, Tyneside)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now had his attention called to the Resolution unanimously passed on 1st December by the Legislative Council of Egypt, praying the Khedive to prepare an organic measure conferring on the nation the right to participate effectively in the interior administration of 2129 the country and in the direction of local affairs, with reservation of all matters covered by the Capitulations or regarding the public debt and its liquidation, the relations of Europeans with the Egyptian Government, the tribute paid to Turkey, the international relations of Egypt, and the right of the Khedivial Government to enter into treaties with other nations; and whether His Majesty's Government will urge the British Agent at Cairo to give his active support to this appeal.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe Answer to the first half of the Question is in the affirmative. With regard to the latter half, the terms of the reply to be returned to the Resolution are now under the consideration of the Egyptian Government, and I can add nothing to the last statement of the general principles by which the action of His Majesty's Government is guided in this matter.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the decision as regards the answer to this appeal is to be left solely or substantially in the hands of the Consul-General at Cairo, or whether His Majesty's Government will not take a direct controlling influence in this matter?
SIR EDWARD GPEYThe last statement of the principles by which, we were guided in this matter was made by Sir Eldon Gorst himself, and received the entire approval of His Majesty's Government.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONBut will the Government give the Consul-General a lead?
§ MR. CURRAN (Durham, Jarrow)May I ask whether the Government is at present contemplating a revision in the Legislative Council of Egypt, and whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the appointed persons out-number the popularly elected persons on that body?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYWhile we are not contemplating a revision of that body, we have been contemplating and engaged in the last year in carrying out 2130 reforms in the direction of municipal councils. Our attention remains concentrated upon that.
§ MR. CURRANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that towards the latter part of last session the then Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs promised that this matter should be investigated by the Government?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI am not aware of any promise made by other Ministers.
§ MR. MACKARNESSCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he will acquaint this House with the determination which His Majesty's Government have come to upon the Resolution of the Legislative Council?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYWhen the answer is given by the Egyptian Government, no doubt it will be made public.
§ MR. MACKARNESSinquired when that would be.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI only had a copy of the Resolution itself yesterday.