MR. GLADSTONEI stated yesterday, Sir, that I had had a communication from Lord Dufferin, which was somewhat of a formal character; and, as I thought that Lord Dufferin had a better cognizance of the actual progress that had been made in Egypt than anyone else, I asked him to give me, in a very few words, a note of the progress which he conceives to have 1856 been attained with respect to several of the most interesting questions in the re-organization of the country. With respect to the Army, he considers that work to be almost completed, and in quite a satisfactory condition with reference to the plan on which it is devised. With respect to the Constabulary, that is not so forward. The Constabulary proper is re-organized; but, with respect to the police, there is still a good deal to be done, though a good deal has been accomplished. With regard to the Judiciary, be believes that a fair body of Judges, presumably competent, have been secured; but it has been found necessary to translate the Judicial Code into Arabic, and that has caused some delay. With respect to the Legislative Bodies, Lord Dufferin is not now aware how far nominations have been made with regard to a portion of them that are to be nominated; but all the arrangements with reference to the elective body have been made, and have been published. With respect to irrigation, a plan has been made by Mr. Moncrieff, the engineer for the irrigation of the Delta, and Lord Dufferin believes that that is favourably regarded by the Government; but no positive decision has been taken in respect to it. And, lastly, with respect to the taxation of foreigners, a plan had likewise been submitted for the attaining of that very important matter. These are the points on which I asked Lord Dufferin to give me such information as he could.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEWith regard to the plan for the taxation of foreigners, can the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by "plan?" has a plan been submitted to the Egyptian Government, or the Foreign Governments?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHI should also like to ask whether Lord Dufferin is to be entrusted with the duty of watching the development of the plans to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred?
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONWill Lord Dufferin's statement be laid on the Table?
MR. GLADSTONECertainly not. I have mentioned that this information is conveyed in a private letter; and it is the best information which Lord Dufferin can give. What he says with respect to 1857 the taxation of foreigners is stated very briefly; but what, I apprehend, he means is merely that the question is in its first stage. I conceive the plan cannot be carried out without the cognizance of foreign countries.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEOn Thursday I will put a Question with regard both to that and as to the difficulties which have arisen in the administration of justice where foreigners are concerned. In regard to that, I will ask whether those difficulties have been or are in the course of being dealt with?
MR. BOURNEalso gave Notice that on Thursday, on the Vote for Major Baring's salary, he would call attention to the whole subject, as the points mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman formed only an infinitesimal part of the great subject connected with the administration of Egypt.
Subsequently,
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked whether Lord Dufferin's letter contained any reference to the Debt of the Egyptian Fellaheen, which, he understood, amounted to £30,000,000?
§ MR. RAIKESA question, Sir, arises out of the statement of the right hon. Gentleman; and I therefore wish to ask if you will inform the House whether the Rule, which requires that any official document cited by a Minister in debate shall be laid before the House, does not apply to communications addressed by official personages to Members in this House, to be used by them for purposes of informing the House in reply to Questions?
MR. GLADSTONEBefore the Question is answered, perhaps you will allow me, Sir, to make a little more clear what I thought I had made sufficiently clear before, as to what my answer was with respect to Lord Dufferin. Before Lord Dufferin left London I desired to see him, to inform myself as well as I could, from conversation, on the points which he has given me roughly in a private letter. But Lord Dufferin unfortunately had left, and therefore I sent after hint; and, informally, he said in a private letter what he would have given me in conversation; and I am afraid the question will arise whether it is lawful to have conversations with officials for the purpose of obtaining 1858 information, inasmuch as conversations cannot be laid upon the Table.
[Mr. SPEAKER did not reply to the Question of the right hon. Member for the University of Cambridge (Mr. Raikes)].