§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any negotiations are in progress with M. de Lesseps, or with the Suez Canal Company, respecting the improvement of the transit by the Canal, or the formation of a second Canal; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to make any communication to Parliament 1364 before concluding an arrangement with the Company for these purposes?
MR. GLADSTONEIn reply to the right hon. Gentleman, I have to say that there are no negotiations in progress with M. de Lesseps or with the Suez Canal Company; and, after what has occurred, we have no desire for their early resumption. [A laugh.] That is repeating what I have very explicitly stated before. We think there are intermediate measures that may be adopted with advantage. With respect to the pledge asked for by the right hon. Gentleman, I cannot give a pledge that there will be any communication before concluding any arrangement with the Company; because, considering that we have three Directors who will be liable to require and receive our instructions upon any matter relating to the management of the Company, which might, therefore, be understood to be an arrangement by Her Majesty's Government with the Company, the right hon. Gentleman will see that it might be so interpreted as to mean that the whole action of the Directors was to be paralyzed during an uncertain interval. I think he will also feel that it is very difficult, on the ground of general convenience, to give a pledge of that kind. I think, however, it may be taken for granted by Parliament, and Parliament will not be deceived in so doing, that we have anything but a disposition to unnecessarily enter upon a course of sole I action in this matter, where we think we might be committing the interests of the country or the authority of Parliament. That consideration will be carefully borne in mind. I will refer to another subject which I have myself mentioned to the House. What we hope and desire—and we believe it will be the best course with reference to a satisfactory settlement of this question—is, that there will be communications between the authorities of the Company and the trading interests of this country, and, if necessary, of other countries. We believe a comparison of views between those directly interested in these respects would probably be extremely useful, and we should be glad to see that placed in the van as a preliminary proceeding anterior, probably, to the more direct action of the Government; and we have some reason to believe that that desire is entertained by the authorities of the Company.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEIs there anything proceeding in that way, I or is it only a suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman?
MR. GLADSTONEIt is certainly beyond a suggestion of mine, or of the present Government. It has been mentioned by the authorities of the Company in their own conversation, and I under stand very favourably. I do not know that anything has been arranged; but I understand that it is and desired.
§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSI wish to remind the Prime Minister that the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for War gave an assurance a few days ago that he would consult with his Colleagues as to whether instructions might not be given to the British Directors that they should make no statement which would commit this country so far as the monopoly claimed by M. de Lesseps is concerned. I should like to know if any communication of the kind has been made?
MR. GLADSTONENo, Sir. There has been no communication with the Directors; but the right hon. Gentleman may rest assured that they will be very cautious as to making any statement of the kind.
§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSWhat the noble Marquess distinctly said was that the Government would consider whether some instructions should not be given to them.
MR. GLADSTONEThey have been fully warned in the matter, and the right hon. Gentleman may rest assured.