§ MR. E. JENKINSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government has received information that the ex-Khedive, I small Pasha, before leaving Egypt stripped the palaces and public buildings of articles estimated to be of the value of six millions sterling, and also compelled the Ministers to pay over to him all the funds in the Treasury available for the uses of the State, amounting to £240,000, and conveyed the whole of the property thus abstracted away with him; and, whether, as he was deposed by the action of Her Majesty's Government, with other Powers, the Government can exercise any influence to prevent any further sums of money from being paid out of Egypt to the ex-Khedive until he has returned the property thus abstracted from the resources of Egypt, or will be able to take any measures to assist its recovery to that State?
§ MR. BOURKESir, we have only heard officially that there is in Cairo a report that the ex-Khedive has caused a large portion of property to be conveyed on board his yacht; but we have not heard what the amount is. In fact, we have only heard a rumour that such a thing was done by the ex-Khedive. We do not know what the nature of the property was; and, therefore, neither Her Majesty's Government nor any other Power has taken any steps in the matter.
§ MR. E. JENKINSHas the Government no information whatever?
§ MR. BOURKENothing, beyond the report of the rumour that a large portion of property had been ordered by him to be removed on board the yacht. We have no official information that any was taken.