CLASS V.—COLONIAL, CONSULAR, AND OTHER FOREIGN SERVICES. (Hansard, 7 August 1878)

§ MR. RYLANDS
supposed that Mr. Rivers Wilson still held the position as 1495 Controller of the National Debt. The Committee was asked to vote £1,500 as his salary in that important and responsible position. Mr. Wilson had been appointed also as a British Director of the Suez Canal, and for that duty he received £300 per annum. He had also been sent out on a mission to arrange the finances of Egypt, and for that he (Mr. Rylands) did not know whether he received any salary or not. He took it for granted, however, that in some way or other Mr. Wilson was adequately remunerated for his services in that particular. Now, the sending of Mr. Wilson abroad seemed to him to be a course that was unwarrantable, and not to be justified by the result. He occupied an important position at home, and it was necessary that he should be there to attend to his duties. Either the office was an unnecessary one, or Mr. Wilson's services could not be dispensed with. He knew very well that many gentlemen in the Government Departments did the work of the heads of the Departments very well during their absence, and it might be so with regard to Mr. Rivers Wilson; but still that was not a proper course to be followed. If it was so, it raised the presumption that the staff of his Department was too large, and that was the impression he had formed in his mind. Mr. Wilson occupied a high position in the permanent Public Service of the country, and he had also the distinction of being a British Director of the Suez Canal; indeed, he was one of those fortunate individuals who, whatever Party was in power, always obtained cordial support. He (Mr. Rylands) would be glad to hear from the Government, under what circumstances they considered it right and justifiable for this public officer of the Crown to be away in Egypt; how long he was likely to remain there; and what advantage they expected to result from his performance of duties abroad? Unless there was some very strong reason to the contrary, he hoped the Government would consider the propriety of calling upon Mr. Rivers Wilson to make the selection either of serving the Crown in this country as Controller of the National Debt Office, or to accept service under the Khedive, for which, no doubt, he was extremely well qualified.

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
said, that the employment of 1496 Mr. Rivers Wilson in Egypt was one of a temporary character, and he hoped to be clear away by the month of October. He had on more than one occasion explained to the House the ground on which it was thought necessary by the Government to appoint a gentleman to take part in the mission of inquiry now going on into the finances of Egypt. No doubt, Mr. Rivers Wilson held very important offices at home, and which he discharged with great ability. The routine duties, however, could be performed without his actually being present, and Mr. Repington, his deputy, was a gentleman who did that portion of his work exceedingly well. Mr. Rivers Wilson's superintendence and advice was always of the highest value. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) should be glad at any future time to discuss the question with the hon. Member; but he hoped the House would at once consent to the Motion.

§ MR. WHITWELL
would not object to the Motion; but he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would be able to say whether Mr. Rivers Wilson would be able to present a Report to the House on the work he had been doing. Was he a mere adviser?

§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
said, that Mr. Wilson was not merely an adviser of the Khedive, but he was a British Commissioner, one of a body who were charged with conducting an inquiry by a Commission of different nations into the financial condition of Egypt. Of course, Mr. Wilson's Report would be made public.