HC Deb 06 August 1883 vol 282 cc1632-3
SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can give the House any information as to Mr. Clifford Lloyd's appointment to a post in Egypt?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I am informed that certain communications have recently passed between Lord Dufferin and Mr. Clifford Lloyd as to the employment in Egypt of the latter gentleman; but there has been some misunderstanding as to the nature of the duties to be performed, and no appointment has been made.

MR. HEALY

Was it in connection with the cholera outbreak that this appointment referred?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

No; I do not understand that it had anything to do with it.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

said, he wished to ask, in reference to the statement of the noble Lord the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that Lord Dufferin had something to do with the appointment or non-appointment of Mr. Clifford Lloyd, whether Lord Dufferin was now held responsible for the appointments made by the Egyptian Government?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

said, he had already stated that the communications were of an informal nature. A communication was made by Lord Dufferin to Mr. Clifford Lloyd, then further communications took place, and the misunderstanding to which he had alluded arose. There was a misunderstanding as to the place Mr. Clifford Lloyd could have.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

asked if it was not a fact that the Khedive wanted an assistant, or Secretary of State, and that Lord Dufferin recommended Mr. Clifford Lloyd?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

said, that what he understood took place was that a communication was made by Lord Dufferin to Mr. Clifford Lloyd that employment was open to him under the Egyptian Government; but when communications took place as to the nature of the post, Mr. Clifford Lloyd found that he had misunderstood what the character of the situation was. Thereupon negotiations were suspended.

MR. HEALY

asked whether the noble Lord the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs could state whether Lord Dufferin was personally acquainted with Mr. Clifford Lloyd; or whether it was in consequence of what Lord Dufferin heard that Mr. Clifford Lloyd had done in Ireland that he recommended him to the Khedive for employment?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I am totally unaware whether Lord Dufferin was acquainted or unacquainted with Mr. Clifford Lloyd.

MR. HEALY

asked whether, if he put down a Notice on the subject, the noble Lord would give an answer?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I do not think that I have anything to do with it.