§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFI beg to ask the hon. Baronet the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What steps have been taken for the protection of British interests in Egypt in view of recent events?
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTBefore the hon. Gentleman answers that Question, I would like to ask whether, in view of the disturbed condition of Egypt, Her Majesty's Government will not invite the Sultan, as Sovereign, to check the revolution in that country?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI intended also to ask the hon. Baronet, whether he could give us any information as to the news which is in the papers as to the present condition of the country; and, also, whether he could say anything as to the proposed policy of Her Majesty's Government?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEIt is impossible for me to make any statement at present on the question of policy. During the present day, since an immediately threatening aspect has been assumed by Egyptian affairs, the state of that country has been the subject of communications between the English and French Governments. Her Majesty's Government has communicated with the French Government on the matter. The right hon. Member for Ripon (Mr. Goschen) has given me private Notice of a Question with regard to measures for securing life and property in Egypt, which, of course, is the most immediate and pressing matter. It is on that point that we have communicated with the French Government; but I can make no further reply to the Question of the hon. Gentleman the Member for Eye (Mr. Ash- 460 mead-Bartlett) with regard to our policy in Egypt.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFI wish to ask, whether, under the very urgent circumstances of the case, the Government have not, without reference to France or any other Power, taken steps to protect British life and property?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe French Government is quite as prepared as ourselves, and there has been no loss of time in consequence of the communications which have taken place between the two Governments.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFHas nothing been done?
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI beg to give Notice that I shall to-morrow put a Question to the hon. Baronet the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on this subject.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFI wish to ask whether nothing has yet been done?—["Oh, oh!"]—and I most respectfully insist upon an answer. ["Oh, oh!"] If the Question is not answered, I shall submit a Motion. ["Oh, oh!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member desires to put a Question, he has a perfect right to do so; but as to insisting upon an answer, I have only to say that that is what he has no right to do.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFThen I shall be compelled to conclude with a Motion. No clamour will put me down. I most respectfully ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any steps have been taken for the protection of life and property in Egypt; and, in order to enable him to answer that Question, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, I understand the hon. Member to conclude with a Motion; but as that does not seem to have reached your ears, perhaps I was mistaken, and perhaps I may be allowed to answer the Question. I have already stated—in fact, I volunteered the statement before I was pressed upon the subject—that the protection of both life and property was the most pressing matter in connection with the present state of things in Egypt, and that it had engaged the immediate attention of Her Majesty's Government, and that no delay in regard to it had been caused by the French Government, although commu- 461 nications had taken place. I think hon. Members can read within the lines of the statement; and I may add that Her Majesty's Government have not received up to the present time from Sir Edward Malet any request for the immediate sending of assistance.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI wish to know whether we are to understand that the Government have not communicated with the other Powers, but only with France; and, also, whether we are to understand that they have not communicated with the Porte?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe other Powers, including the Porte, will be informed of the steps taken on this subject.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEWhen?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKETo-day.