§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the fact, as stated by M. Challemel-Lacour in his Despatch of the 17th January last, which has been published in the Yellow Book, on the Affairs of Egypt, just presented to the French Chamber, that Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs told the French Ambassador "that he had never thought" the joint Note to the English and French Agents at Cairo, which was proposed by the French Government, and signed by Her Majesty's Government, "could be of the slightest 539 use;" if so, why Her Majesty's Government signed the Note referred to, and why so important a statement was omitted from the Papers presented to Parliament?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKELord Granville cannot, of course, recall to mind every word that he may have used in the course of frequent and prolonged conversations held between five and six months ago. My noble Friend is quite ready to assume that M. Challemel-Lacour recorded nothing which did not correctly represent his own understanding of something which was actually said. Lord Granville is, however, certain that he never intended to convey any such meaning as the words reported, taken without qualification, would imply. The opinion which he entertained, and could not have failed to express, was that the Dual Note would be useful, at least, in showing the accord between France and England.
§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSI would ask the Under Secretary whether the usual course was followed by the French Government, before the publication of the Yellow Book, in ascertaining if the English Government had any objection to the publication of the several Despatches; whether any communications have taken place; and, if so, why steps were not taken to correct the conversations referred to?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe Despatch in question was not referred to Her Majesty's Government; but it is not the ordinary practice to refer Despatches which contain reports of conversations by Ambassadors. The Despatches of Foreign Powers are referred to them; but not conversations with Ambassadors.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFIs it not the ordinary practice for an Ambassador, before reporting a conversation with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, first of all to submit it to the then Foreign Secretary, with the view of seeing whether it is correct?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEIt is very frequently done; but it is by no means the invariable practice. Some Ambassadors always do it, some never do it, and some will do it sometimes.
§ MR. GIBSONHave any steps been taken to correct the misconception?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKENotice had better be given of that Question.