§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any proposals have been made for the admission of Spain to the Conference respecting Egypt?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, no formal proposals have been made; but there have been some confidential conversations on the subject.
§ MR. O'DONNELLinquired whether the Government had heard, as stated in the Madrid Press, that Germany had invited Spain to a share in the proposed International Protectorate of the Suez Canal, and that the offer of Germany had been accepted by the Spanish Government?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKENo, Sir; I should regard that story as entirely imaginary.
§ MR. BOURKEI beg to give Notice that to-morrow, on going into Committee of Supply, I shall make inquiry of the Government with respect to the position of this country in our relations with Egypt at the present time, and also as to our relations with Foreign Powers on the same subject. And as the proceedings of the Conference are evidently not secret, I shall ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can give us any information with respect to certain telegrams which appear in the papers as to the proceedings at the Conference during the last two or three days, and also with respect to the neutralization of the Suez Canal and its protection both in times of peace and war?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI can say at once that no arrangements for the neutralization of the Suez Canal have been made. Although I shall be very glad to listen to what the right hon. Gentleman may have to say, it will not be in my power to make any statement with regard to the proceedings of the Conference.