HC Deb 07 August 1882 vol 273 cc960-1
BARON HENRY DE WORMS

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the fact, as stated in to-day's papers, that on the 3rd instant three Turkish transports with artillery and stores started for Alexandria; and, whether the Porte has yet proclaimed Arabi Pacha a rebel; if not, whether Her Majesty's Government have decided no longer to insist upon such proclamation as a condition precedent to the landing of Turkish troops in Egypt?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

No Turkish troops have been despatched to Alexandria, and we have been informed by the Porte that the destination of those already embarked is Crete.

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

The hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my Question.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

I thought the last part of the Question depended on the answer to the first, which assumed the truth of the statement that troops were on their way to Egypt. Of course, Her Majesty's Government have not changed their position in regard to the issue of the Proclamation.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the other Powers had asked us to proclaim Arabi, or whether the Conference had done so?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The statement I made had reference to the Conference.

MR. HEALY

How far is Crete from Alexandria?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The hon. Member can see for himself if he looks at the map.