§ MR. DODSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the sum of £77,448, which Her Majesty's Government were obliged to provide for interest and commission in consequence of the default of the Turkish Government to pay the dividend due in February last on the Turkish Guaranteed Loan of 1855, specially charged upon the Egyptian tribute, has been received in full, or to any and what amount, from the Turkish or Egyptian Government; whether the French Government has paid one moiety thereof; and, whether he can say when the Correspondence with the above-named Governments on the subject, which he informed the House on 19th March should be laid before Parliament as soon as it was in a fit state, will be presented?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am sorry to say, Sir, that the bulk of the sum of £77,448 has not yet been paid. The Porte gave instructions to the Khedive to pay the amount that was due, but the amount received from the Khedive has been somewhat less than £8,000. Why a further amount has not yet been paid I am not in a position to say, but communications are still going on with the Egyptian Government on the subject. The French Government have been advised by Her Majesty's Government of the position of affairs, and they have recognized their liability to pay one moiety. The French Government are prepared to pay the moiety on Her Majesty's Government sending in an account; but as we have been hoping to receive a further remittance from the Egyptian Government we have not yet put the claim in proper shape, and that, of course, will be a matter which will cause no delay between ourselves and the French Government. I am afraid that as the Correspondence has not yet been completed, it will not be advisable to lay it upon the Table of the House.
§ Afterwards,
§ MR. DODSONsaid, he wished to ask a further Question, of which he had not given the right hon. Gentleman Notice. It was, Whether the last instalment of the interest due on the Suez Canal Shares had been paid by the Khedive in full, and when the payment had been made?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am afraid I cannot name the date, but it was paid in full.