§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is a fact that the British Government intend to press for a Conference against the opposition of the Porte; and, whether he will state the exact character of "the favourable replies" which he stated on Tuesday had been received from all the Great Powers?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, in reply to the first paragraph of the hon. Member's Question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on Monday to the right hon. Gentleman on the Front Bench opposite, and in reply to his second Question, I can only state that he will learn the exact character of the replies received when the Papers appear.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTwished to know whether an Identic Note had been presented to the Porte by England and France, and whether the Sultan had offered to restore law and order and to support the Khedive; and whether, in consideration of the extreme injury to British interests which would accrue from the alienation of the great Mussulman Power, it was the intention of the Government to co-operate with the Porte?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI decline to answer the argumentative portion of the hon. Member's Question, and with respect to the rest, there is no foundation, of which I am aware, for the rumour respecting the Identic Note.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTIs the hon. Baronet able to state whether the Government are pressing this Conference, or whether they will await the result of Dervish Pasha's mission?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, I must decline to make any further reply. If the hon. Member likes, he can give Notice of his Question. I have nothing 490 to add to what I said on Monday last. It was a very brief reply, but it was a real answer to that Question, and I can add nothing to it.
§ SIR H. DREMMOND WOLFFMay I ask when the Papers will be laid on the Table?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe printers promised the first portion of the Papers—up to the 5th of January— by to-morrow. The further Papers are being rapidly proceeded with in two sections, and I apprehend there will be no great delay in their presentation.
§ MR. BOURKEThe hon. Baronet said, I think, on a previous occasion, that he was in communication with the French Government; but I did not understand him to promise the later Papers at any particular time. Perhaps on Monday he will be able to give that information.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI think I shall be able to answer that Question on Monday.