THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, it had occurred to him, since giving Notice of a Question on this subject, which he had intended to ask the right hon. Gentleman at the head of the Go- 567 vernment on Monday next, that it might be as well to put the Question at once. Of course, he did not press the Government to give him any answer if they were not prepared to do so; but if, as was not improbable, the right hon. Gentleman was disposed to give the information he asked for immediately, it would probably be for the convenience of the House. The House would have observed that, in consequence of the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman yesterday, several Notices affecting the publication of Mr. Cave's mission in Egypt had been placed on the Paper. He was under the impression that the most regular and convenient course would be to take the discussion, or at any rate a preliminary discussion, upon the Vote for the expenses of Mr. Cave's mission; and if the Government were able now to say they would fix an early day for taking the discussion, it would be useful for the guidance of hon. Members who were interested in the subject as to the time of bringing on their Motions. The right hon. Gentleman had probably observed that a Motion on the subject of Egyptian finance was on the Notice Paper for this evening, but that would not, perhaps, be a very convenient opportunity for discussing so important a question.
§ MR. DISRAELIsaid, it was impossible for him to answer precisely as to the day on which the question could be discussed, because he had to consider the whole course of Business, and had not yet had an opportunity of doing so. Probably on Monday he should be able to make a more precise statement.
§ MR. LOWEasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the expenses of Mr. Cave's mission would be included in a Supplementary Estimate, or left over till next year? It seemed to him that those expenses formed part of the service of the present year, and ought, therefore, to be included in a Supplementary Estimate, and not left over till next year, with which they had nothing whatever to do.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHfeared that it would be impossible to include the Vote in a Supplementary Estimate. Before it was prepared the time would expire within which it could be got into an Appropriation Bill, and therefore it must stand as an Estimate for next year.