§ LORD JOHN MANNERSasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If Her Majesty's Government assume any responsibility for the future Egyptian Army on account of their recent demand to be consulted by the Khedive's Government in its composition?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the noble Lord will see that as we have at present the whole responsibility for the maintenance of order in Egypt, and as we do not contemplate the continuance of that responsibility when the necessity for it shall have been removed, we must necessarily become judges to a certain extent, in the first instance, of the other provisions which will have to be made in order to carry out the duties which are now performed by our own troops. We shall be responsible for forming the best judgment we can as to the sufficiency of the provisions so to be made in substitution of our own force. Beyond that I am not aware that we should be responsible for the Egyptian Army at all.
§ LORD ELCHOI should like to know whether my right hon. Friend can state whether, in the composition of the new Egyptian Army, Egyptians are to be admitted?
MR. GLADSTONESir, as soon as we can we will acquaint the House with the arrangements that are to be made; but I do not think it would be convenient to enter into detail at the present moment.