HC Deb 29 June 1882 vol 271 cc771-3
MR. GIBSON

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, inasmuch as it appears that Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs did not tell the French Ambassador— That he had never thought (the joint Note mentioned in Despatch of 17th January by M. Challemel-Lacour) would he of the slightest use, as published in the Yellow Book, Her Majesty's Government have taken any steps to remove the misconception under which the French Government appears to labour on the subject?

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to correct the misapprehension of the French Government relative to the alleged statement of Earl Granville to M. Challemel-Lacour, "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 use," and which statement, conveyed in M. Challemel-Lacour's Despatch of the 17th of January last, has been published in the Yellow Book on the affairs of Egypt, just presented to the French Chamber; and, if no such steps have already been taken, whether Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris will be instructed to deny the accuracy of the words imputed to Lord Granville by M. Challemel-Lacour; and, whether the statement which appears in the same Despatch, of the 17th. January, and which precedes the words attributed to Lord Granville quoted above, that Lord Granville considered the Collective Note as "a purely Platonic encouragement, not conveying the promise of any action," Lord Granville entendait en effet que la Note Collective ne devait être considéreé que comme un encouragement purement platonique qui n'impliquait la promesse d'aucune action, correctly conveys the views expressed by Lord Granville at his interview with M. Challemel-Lacour; and, if not, whether Her Majesty's Government will also cause an official denial of it to be communicated to the French Government?

SIE CHARLES W. DILKE

The answer to the Question of the right hon. and learned Member for the University of Dublin, and to the first part of the Question No. 22, is in the affirmative. [Mr. GIBSON: When?] The day before yesterday. The despatch was written as soon as the Yellow Book had been read by Lord Granville. With regard to the second portion of the latter Question, in a despatch to Lord Lyons, Lord Granville repudiates the inferences drawn by M. Challemel-Lacour from the conversation which he held with His Excellency.

MR. GIBSON

Does Lord Granville say what he meant?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The answer I gave yesterday is the best answer I can give to that Question.

MR. BOURKE

Were the despatches in the Yellow Book communicated to Her Majesty's Government?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Not conversations. I have already stated that it is not the practice to communicate conversations to Governments.