§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is proposed to sell the Domain lands in Egypt, acquired by usurpation and otherwise by the late Khedive and his family, without making provision for the security of the cultivators of the soil?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEA scheme has been proposed for the sale of the Domain Lands, which are hypothecated as security for the Rothschild Loan. It is at present incomplete; but its provisions contemplate the disposal of the lands for the liquidation of the loan under conditions which will afford facilities for payment, and enable the cultivators of the soil to become the proprietors of their holdings on moderate terms. The scheme is still under consideration. We have no official information of any sales having taken place; but, if that is the case, the sales must have been effected under the power contained in the Decree of January 30, 1879, whereby the whole or any part of the land may be sold by the Commissioners, subject to the conditions of the Loan Contract, and of regulations approved by the Council of Ministers.