HC Deb 30 October 1882 vol 274 cc382-3
MR. ONSLOW

In consequence of the statement made by the Prime Minister on Friday last—that there were certain questions which it might be the desire of the House to discuss before the Prorogation—I wish to ask him if he could now state whether it is the intention of the Government to give opportunities of discussing any or all of the following subjects, on each of which I venture to say the House and the country take the deepest interest:—(1) Egyptian affairs, both retrospective and prospective; (2) Ways and means to meet the extra cost of the recent war; (3) cost to India of the contingent sent by that Government; (4) return of Cetewayo to Zululand?

MR. GLADSTONE

I do not doubt for a moment the interest and importance of the subject which has been mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, I could considerably add to that list. But with respect to the affairs of Egypt generally, I cannot at present make any addition to what I said six days ago in answer to the right hon. Baronet the Member for North Devon (Sir Stafford Northcote). Matters remain substantially as they were, except that I may say that if any portion of the arrangements which can be separated from the rest with regard to the future of Egypt, and which is of interest to the House, should be shortly completed, we should reserve to ourselves the discretion of making it known at once to the House, without waiting for further progress. But, generally speaking, I must refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave last week. With respect to the charge for the war and the cost of the Indian Contingent, we have received no information of any kind that would enable us to make a statement to the House; but the moment we are in a position to communicate information that would increase the knowledge of the House on either of those subjects we shall do so. As to the cost of the Indian Expedition, no facts of any kind, but only general anticipations, which are not of an unfavourable character, have reached my noble Friend the Secretary of State for India since he made his Financial Statement on the Indian Budget. With regard to the return of Cetewayo—certainly a subject of interest—I do not anticipate that it will be our duty to encourage any discussion of that question within a period so short as that which we hope will intervene before the Prorogation of Parliament.