§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can name a day for the discussion of the Motion with regard to the employment of Her Majesty's Forces in Egypt? I desire at the same time to call attention to a further Notice given by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Bourke), with the concurrence and assent of his former Colleagues, with regard to the surrender of Arabi Pasha. I mention that because it might affect the answer the right hon. Gentleman may give me, and because we shall be anxious to press for a discussion of the matter.
MR. GLADSTONEWhen this Notice was given by the right hon. Gentleman the late Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs yesterday, there was no sign of concurrence or participation in it by his late Colleagues, consequently I had no reason to give any special attention to it with reference to the present purpose of that Notice. I attended, however, to the Question of which Notice has been given by the right hon. Baronet, and I must say that we are not prepared to interrupt the course of these proceedings upon the Resolutions now before the House for the purpose of discussing the Notice which has been given by the right hon. Baronet; but, at the same time, I should like to add a few words 1199 to that statement. I think we shall be able in the course of three or four days to give some information to the House which will not occupy more than two or three minutes, which will throw some light upon the subject of the right hon. Baronet's Notice, so far as to assist him in judging of the proper course for him to take. The circumstances are not without precedent. The course that was taken at the close of the War of 1815–16, we think, is likely to supply in substance a proper basis for our proceedings; but I will explain the matter not later than Tuesday, and I hope then to be able also to give some information as to the actual amount of the force remaining in Egypt. Of course, if any further information is desired, I shall be glad to have Notice of the Question.
§ MR. BOURKEI beg to state that on Monday next I will ask the right hon. Gentleman at the head of the Government whether he will give the House a day for the discussion of the subject of my Notice.