§ MR. GREGORYsaid, he rose to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether a change has taken place in the succession to the Vice-royalty of Egypt, from the eldest agnate of Mohammed AH to the descendants of the present Viceroy; if so, how that change of succession has been effected, and whether there is any information on the subject which may be laid before the House?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, in reply, that a 1551 change had taken place in the succession of the Vice-royalty of Egypt, and that it had been brought about exclusively by an understanding between the Sultan and the Viceroy, with which no Foreign Power had anything to do. It would doubtless be remembered by his hon. Friend that a similar change had been made some years ago in the Royal family of Persia. He (Mr. Layard) understood, by a recently received telegram, that the firman authorizing the change of succession had been issued. No papers, however, having reference to the subject were in the possession of the Government, but he believed the reasons for making the change would be communicated to Her Majesty's Ministers, and when that had occurred he promised to lay the communication before the House,