HC Deb 05 April 1883 vol 277 cc1504-5
SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he can state what steps, if any, have been taken by the Government of the Khedive in conjunction with Her Majesty's Representatives in Egypt to carry out the reforms in that Country submitted to the Foreign Office by Lord Dufferin; if not, what measures Her Majesty's Government propose to take with the view of causing such reforms to be established; and, whether Her Majesty's Government intend to withdraw the Army of Occupation in Egypt before the institutions projected by Lord Dufferin are carried out and in operation?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that, generally, he must say, he did not think that this Government had any reason to complain of the steps taken on the part of the Egyptian Government in the prosecution of the measures recommended by Lord Dufferin; and he would also say that he had heard from Lord Dufferin that the Egyptian Government was at present actively concerning itself with two questions, which Her Majesty's Government considered of great importance—the one, the alleviation of the pressure of debt upon the Fellaheen; and the other, the sale of the Domain Lands. With respect to the latter part of the Question, he did not think he could do otherwise than refer the hon. Member to the previous statement made in the House, in which it appeared to him that the House apprehended with great clearness the general position of Her Majesty's Government.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

said, that Lord Dufferin had suggested the institution of certain Councils for Egypt. As these Councils could not be brought into operation immediately, except under the protection of the English Army, he wished to ask whether the English Army would be withdrawn before they were established?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, it would not be convenient, nor according to usage, that he should enter upon any explanation, especially as to this or that particular measure, and the time that the English Government could undertake to withdraw its Army. He had stated in general, and he thought intelligible, terms, that we had a work to perform, and that we would not be justified in withdrawing until that work was so far performed as to be, in the judgment of the Government, reasonably secured. But he thought the hon. Member would not care to press the matter.