§ MR. COURTNEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any steps have been taken towards a renewal of the International Courts now established in Egypt for a term expiring in February next; and, whether it is intended to recommend to the other Powers the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the organ- 1602 ization and working of the said Courts as a preliminary to negotiations with the Khedive for their renewal?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe Egyptian Government have just issued a Circular stating that they wish the Powers of the International Courts to be renewed for a further period of five years; but they consider that experience has proved the necessity of some modifications both in the organization of the judicial system and in the provisions of the Codes. They propose that a International Commission should meet at Cairo, under the Presidency of the Egyptian Minister of Justice. Her Majesty's Government have had under their consideration for some time past the modifications which, in their opinion, it would be desirable to introduce, and they are quite prepared to take part in the deliberations of an International Commission, as soon as one shall have been appointed to deal with this subject.