MR. BUXTONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he has received any information, which he can lay before the House, or whether he has any reason to doubt the truth of the announcements in the papers of very serious disturbances in the Soudan and Upper Egypt, and of heavy losses incurred by the troops of the Khedive?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, there is no doubt that the Soudan is in a disturbed condition; but there is some reason to suppose that the accounts which have appeared in certain papers are exaggerated. The matter is receiving attention at Cairo.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTsubsequently gave Notice that he intended to ask, Whether the Government propose 173 to take any steps, and, if so, what steps, in regard to the reported defeat of the Egyptian troops in the Soudan by the troops of the "False Prophet?"
MR. GLADSTONESir, the Question has already been answered by my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State up to the limit of such knowledge as we possess. Of course, it is difficult for me, as I cannot say absolutely when we shall have full information, to state when we shall be in a condition to say more. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put his Question down for Monday, I will give him what information I then possess.