HC Deb 01 December 1882 vol 275 cc484-5
MR. LABOUCHERE

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the following modification in the rules of procedure on the trial of Arabi Pacha has been submitted to Her Majesty's representative in Egypt, and has mot with their approval, which were as follows:— Rule of Procedure agreed on by Borelli Bey, October 21st, in the name of the Egyptian Government, and on behalf of the Commission of Inquiry. The defence shall be free. Counsel may call any witness they deem expedient, whether already heard or not, and examine them. The President may declare the inquiry closed if the desire to prolong uselessly the case is manifest: Any of the accused may appoint foreign counsel. Rules of Procedure enacted by the Commission of Inquiry on November 12th. The whole case for the defence, comprising cross-examination and production of evidence, must under all circumstances be completed by the 25th December. Counsel can only examine witnesses through the President, who may stop any question he may think fit: The accused can only appoint counsel after the completion of the preliminary examination. The counsel for the defence must give up their documents to the Commission of Inquiry before it completes its labours? The hon. Member said, he did not wish to press the Question if the hon. Baronet could inform them that the statements which appeared in that day's papers in regard to Arabi were correct—namely, that some arrangement had been come to whereby the charges against him would be withdrawn, except as regarded the rebellion, and that he was to be condemned to some species of banishment. He also wished to ask whether those who were concerned with Arabi would be dealt with on the same terms?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The answer to the Question on the Paper is in the negative. With reference to the further Questions put by the hon. Member, I may say that we have received no communication whatever from the Egyptian Government in the sense indicated by the Question; and, of course, we must act in anything we do on what we hear from the Egyptian Government.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

But has the hon. Baronet received no communication from Lord Dufferin?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

We have received various rumours, but, as I have said, no communication from the Egyptian Government. Of course, Lord Dufferin gives us information; but he cannot answer for the Egyptian Government.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

Will the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs say whether, if Arabi is to be released, Parliament is to be afforded any facilities for the discussion of the question of his release, for that alters the whole matter?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

That, I think, is a Question which should be directed to the Prime Minister.