HC Deb 05 July 1861 vol 164 c413
MR. DARBY GRIFFITH

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is aware that there are no natural or geographical obstacles to prevent or retard the march of Troops from Tetuan to Tangier, a distance of one day's journey, by any Power having permanent possession of Tetuan? And, whether the acquisition of the coast district, continuing down to Tetuan from Ceuta, by any Power in possession of that fortress, would not render Ceuta, situated directly opposite to Gibraltar, and very much nearer to it than is Tangier, a place of great strategical importance, supported by a large acquired territory, and able to endanger the security of Gibraltar by threatening the independence of Tangier?

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

said, the Government were quite aware of the position of Tetuan. With regard, however, to the consequences of the possession of that place by Spain in reference to our possession of Gibralta he must decline to enter into that question.