§ MR. GRIFFITHWill the noble Lord allow me to ask him whether the Pasha of Egypt has authorised the transference of British Troops across the Isthmus of Suez, and whether Her Majesty's Government intend to avail themselves of such permission?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONNo particular communications have as yet passed between the Pasha of Egypt and Her Majesty's Government on the subject. But the House is well aware that during the Crimean war, when it was thought desirable that such a route should be open for our troops, an application was made to the Pasha, and no objection was offered by him to the arrangement; on the contrary, every possible facility was afforded for carrying it into effect. Nevertheless, the passage of our Troops by that route was attended with considerable inconvenience, difficulty, and expense.