§ MR. HUMEsaid, the House would remember that last year he asked whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to bring to England the obelisk known under the name of Cleopatra's Needle, which had been presented by the late Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, to George IV. A letter was addressed to the Pasha signifying the pleasure of George IV. to accept his present. A promise was made that inquiries should be instituted to ascertain the best means of transmitting the obelisk to England. At the request of several persons who were very anxious to have the obelisk brought to England, he wished to ask whether any steps had been taken for that purpose?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,in answer to the question of the hon. Member, begged to say that last year inquiry was made by the Government as to the possibility of removing Cleopatra's Needle, and also whether it was worth while to remove it to this country. The answer received to that question, from the parties best qualified to give it, was, that they did not think it was worth while incurring the expense and trouble of bring- 887 ing the obelisk to England. But upon this point the Government had not yet come to a decision.