§ MR. BOURKEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any Despatches have been received by Her Majesty's Government from the British Ambassador at Constantinople during the months of November, December, January, February, March, April, and May last relating to the views of the Porte upon the policy of England and France with respect to Egypt; and, if so, why all such Despatches have been omitted from the Correspondence relating to Egyptian affairs laid before Parliament? In putting this Question, he must add that since he gave Notice of it, certain Papers referred to in it had been laid upon the Table; but there were others which had not been produced.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, the only two despatches which answer the description given by my right hon. Friend, and which have not been laid before the House, are strictly confidential.
§ MR. BOURKEAnd cannot be laid upon the Table?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKENo, Sir.
§ MR. BOURKEasked whether the hon. Baronet would say that no instructions had been sent to our Ambassador at Constantinople during the six months referred to, to ascertain the views of the Porte with reference to the policy of England and France in Egypt?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, I think that the right hon. Gentleman should give Notice of that Question. At the same time, I may say that one of the two despatches to which I have referred is distinctly within the terms of the right hon. Gentleman's Question; and the other comes fairly within its terms.
§ MR. BOURKEWhat is its date?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI cannot give the date from memory; but if the right hon. Gentleman will give Notice of the Question, I will answer it.
§ MR. BOURKEThen I will ask the Question to-morrow.