§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that a British subject named Kirkham was some time ago detained by the Egyptian authorities at Massowah on his way from Abyssinia to England; whether he is still imprisoned without trial; whether there is any prospect of his release; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will lay upon the Table any Correspondence which has taken place on the subject? He might add, that since he came down to the House he had heard it reported that General Kirkham died recently.
§ MR. BOURKESir, in the beginning of June it came to the knowledge of Her Majesty's Government that the British subject alluded to in the Question of the hon. Member was imprisoned at Massowah. He is better known under the name of General Kirkham, late 1478 Commander-in-Chief of the Abyssinian Army, and was taken prisoner by the Egyptians last spring, being at that time engaged in hostilities against the Egyptian Army. At the time that Her Majesty's Government were first informed of his imprisonment, they were also informed that he was suffering from alleged harsh treatment by the Egyptian officials at Massowah. Under those circumstances Her Majesty's Government brought these facts to the notice of the Egyptian Government, and on the 6th of June Cherif Pasha assured our Consular authority in Egypt that there was no foundation whatever for the statement that General Kirkham had been treated with any harshness; that he was supplied with everything that was necessary for his comfort, and allowed to take exercise in the open air, and the confinement to which he is subjected is no stricter than is necessary to prevent his communicating with his political and military allies and associates. As to the second part of the Question, being taken prisoner of war, he would, I conclude, not be subject to any trial. Whether there is any prospect of his release I am unable to say at present. If my hon. Friend would like to see the correspondence he is welcome to do so, but I do not think that any advantage would accrue to General Kirkham by its being made public. I regret to hear that Kirkham has lately died, but Her Majesty's Government are in no way to blame for it.