HC Deb 26 June 1882 vol 271 cc382-3
SIR E. ASSHETON CROSS

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign. Affairs, Whether the House could not have the further Papers upon the Egyptian Question at an earlier period than at present named?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, I am afraid it is quite impossible for the Government to make any promise. They are now under reference to Lord Lyons and Lord Dufferin, and, although every exertion will be made, I cannot give any assurance on the matter.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he can state what steps were taken by Sir Beauchamp Seymour and Her Majesty's ships under his command on Sunday, the 11th of June, for the protection of British life and property at Alexandria; if he can state the dates of the arrivals at and departures from Alexandria of any of Her Majesty's vessels of war up to the present time since the 25th of September 1881, the date at which Sir E. Malet recommended That one of Her Majesty's ships of war should be stationed at Alexandria during the winter, and the class, tonnage, and armament of such vessels; and, if he can state the periods since September 25th 1881, during which there has been no British vessel of war in the harbor of Alexandria?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Sir, we have received from. Sir Beauchamp Seymour dispatches relating to the occurrences of the 11th, and reporting the steps which he took on that day. The House will understand that in the present condition of affairs at Alexandria it is necessary to speak with the greatest reserve, and it would be contrary to the public interest to produce those dispatches now; but they will, no doubt, be included in Papers to be laid before Parliament in due course. Unfortunately, owing to the sudden and unexpected nature of the outbreak, it was impossible to prevent the attack upon Mr. Cookson, and the other casualties which occurred soon after the commencement of the disorder. I must add that the conduct of Sir Beauchamp Seymour and of Captain Molyneux, of Her Majesty's ship Invincible, who took charge of the Consulate when Mr. Cookson was disabled, has received the entire approval of the Admiralty. In answer to the hon. Member's second Question, I have to say that the Invincible was at Alexandria on the 19th and 20th of October, the Iris from December 3 to January 5, and again from March 8 to March 26, and the Bacchante from the 5th to the 26th of March.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

The hon. Member has not answered that portion of my Question which relates to the class, tonnage, and armament of the vessels.

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The hon. Member can easily ascertain that information for himself. I do not think it is desirable that the Government should go into particulars of that character.