§ VISCOUNT BARRINGTONsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been called to a Loan recently offered publicly by the Viceroy of Egypt in this Country, and whether any, and if so, what communication has been received by Her Majesty's Government from the representative of the Ottoman Porte with reference to such Loan, and whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take any action in the matter?
MR. OTWAYWe have been informed, Sir, that there is a proposition for a new loan for the Khedive of £1,000,000 sterling, and we have received from the Ambassador of the Sultan a copy of the protest which the Porte has issued on the subject of the proposed loan. With regard to any action to be taken by Her Majesty's Government on this matter, we assume no right to interfere with capitalists or others who may choose to invest their money in these undertakings. It is for them to consider all the circumstances under which they do so. There will be no objection to lay on the Table of the House a copy of the protest of the Porte against this loan, if the noble Lord or any other Member will move for it.