HC Deb 12 July 1883 vol 281 cc1223-4
MR. GORST

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What were the respective functions of Ballig Bey and Mr. Grosjean in the prosecution of Khandeel for complicity in the massacres of June 11th 1882, at Alexandria; whether it is true, as stated by the "Standard" correspondent, that Ballig Bey abandoned all charges against Khandeel of knowledge or of complicity with the massacres; whether Mr. Grosjean formally dissented from Ballig Bey; and, if so, in what capacity and under what code of procedure he had the right to do so; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will recommend the Khedive to mitigate the sentence passed on Khandeel of seven years' imprisonment for mere disobedience to orders of which alone he was found guilty?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

The Report of Major Macdonald on the trial of Khandeel, which would probably enable me to answer the first three Questions of the hon. and learned Member, has not yet been received. In reply to the hon. and learned Member's fourth Question, I cannot do better than read the following telegram from Major Macdonald, dated the 10th instant:— Khandeel has just been found guilty of neglect of duty, and sentenced to seven years' penal servitude at Suakim. He has had a perfectly fair trial, the counsel for the defence having been allowed every latitude of speech—much more than he would have had in England. Her Majesty's Government will, consequently, not interfere.

MR. GORST

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in consequence of the acquittal after judicial investigation of Arabi, Suleiman Sami, and Khandeel, of having directed the massacre at Alexandria on 11th June 1882, Her Majesty's Government will advise the Egyptian Government to make any further attempt to discover and punish the real culprits?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

It is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to act in the manner suggested by the hon. and learned Member.