§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI wish, Sir, to put a Question to the Prime Minister in consequence of some disquieting rumours which have reached us this afternoon. It is, Whether the Government have received any informa- 1569 tion with regard to affairs in Alexandria which they are in a position to communicate to the House? I should like, also, to ask the Prime Minister whether Sir Beauchamp Seymour is furnished with authority to act in case any necessity should arise?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the right hon. Gentleman will, I am sure, understand that I am obliged to speak with great reserve about these matters; but I may say that we have received to-day no rumours tending to disquiet the public mind. With reference to the other portion of the right hon. Gentleman's Question, I may refer to an answer given by my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs earlier in the Sitting, to the effect that Sir Beauchamp Seymour has instructions which will enable him to act in case of necessity.