§ MR. O'DONNELL (for Mr. O'KELLY)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government continue to regard the Soudan as forming part of the Government of Egypt; and, if so, whether they will take immediate steps to restore order in that Province, which has been left without defence, owing to the disbandment of the Egyptian Army by the action of Her Majesty and the Khedive?
MR. GLADSTONESir, this Question, I must observe, is one which does not at all correspond with any state of facts exactly known to me. It asks whether Her Majesty's Government continue to regard the Soudan as forming part of the Government of Egypt. We have had no occasion to give judgment at all I upon that question, and we have delivered no judgment upon it. It is no 669 part of the duty incumbent upon us to restore order in that Province. It is politically connected with Egypt in consequence of its very recent conquest; but it has not been included within the sphere of our operations, and we are by no means disposed to admit without qualification that it is within the sphere of our responsibility.