HC Deb 10 November 1882 vol 274 c1184
MR. O'DONNELL

asked the Secretary of State for War, Why Arabi Pacha, while a prisoner of war to British troops, was surrendered to the agents of the Khedive?

MR. CHILDERS

Sir, if the hon. Member will refer to Egypt, No. 18, Letter No. 76, he will see that Arabi Pasha was surrendered to the Khedive in accordance with a decision of Her Majesty's Government communicated by Lord Granville to Sir Edward Malet on the 28th of August, in obedience to which Sir Garnet Wolseley acted. He was so surrendered because he was a subject in arms against the Khedive, and we were acting as the allies and mandatories of the Khedive in the whole operations.

MR. O'DONNELL

Is not the principal offence for which Arabi is to be tried for his life his alleged misuse of the flag of truce, during the siege of Alexandria—an offence which, if committed at all, was committed against the British Army, and which, therefore, ought to be tried by a British court martial?

MR. CHILDERS

I have nothing to add to my answer. I have already answered distinctly what the hon. Member placed on the Notice Paper.