§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, From whence the Egyptian Government has found money to pay for the expenses of British Troops, for the splendid ball and fêtes to be given this week, in honour of the Army of Occupation and the War in the Soudan; whether any decision has yet been come to as to the means of paying the indemnities so rapidly and liberally awarded by the Commission, 210 claims having it is stated been passed in one day; whether the Khedive has, either to the Ottoman Bank or to any other body, incurred a floating and pre-preferred debt; and, whether it is true that the English financial adviser has come to Europe to try to raise new permanent loans?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEWith regard to the expenses of the British troops and the payment of the Indemnity Awards, I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have just given to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere). Her Majesty's Government have no information with regard to the fêtes to be given by the Khedive. It is believed that His Highness will avail himself of the powers conferred by Article 37 of the Law of Liquidation, in order to procure from the Ottoman Bank an advance in current coin. It is not intended to interfere in any way with the provisions of that Law. The Financial Adviser of the Egyptian Government is now in Europe on business connected with the above and other financial questions.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked whether it was proposed to assign any part of the Revenue now devoted to the administration of Egypt as security for the new loan?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, that he had given a partial answer to that Question just now, and could not answer it without further Notice.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORsaid, the noble Lord stated, on a previous occasion, that the additional loan of £4,000,000 would not result in any grievous increase of the burdens of the Egyptian taxpayers; and he wished to know whether the new property to be taxed included that of Europeans and foreigners, which had hitherto escaped taxation?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICErequested that Notice should be given of the Question.