§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSI wish to put a Question to the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, of which I have given him private Notice. The telegrams which have been received this morning with regard to the state of affairs in Egypt are so alarming that I wish to repeat the Question which was put to the hon. Baronet the other day by my hon. Friend behind me. My hon. Friend then asked whether it was true that, notwithstanding the remon- 1511 strance addressed by the British Admiral respecting the erection of certain earthworks at Alexandria, those earthworks are still being rapidly pushed forward, and heavy guns are being mounted thereon commanding the harbour; and, if so, what steps the Government are taking in consequence?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, in answer to the Question of the right hon. Gentleman, I would remind him that my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty yesterday declined to give any information on this subject; and as I have not been able to take Lord North-brook's opinion as to what has occurred, I should not like to make any statement. on the subject, except to say this, which I can properly say without consultation with him, that further instructions have been given to the Admiral sufficient to meet every contingency.
§ MR. O'KELLYI should like to know, Sir, what right the British Admiral has to prevent these earthworks from being erected and armed?