§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will lay upon the Table or state to the House the communications addressed to Her Majesty's Government by Foreign Powers regarding the late Suez Canal proposals of the British Cabinet?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, in the Blue Book just issued (Egypt, No. 13) communications on the subject of Lord Granville's Circular of the 3rd. instant from the Russian and Italian Governments will he found. No others have been received. If the hon. Member refers to the recent Agreement with M. de Lesseps, I have already stated that a communication has been received from the Porte, the substance of which I have communicated to the House. As, however, no answer has yet been sent, it cannot be presented immediately.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked, if there was any communication with the German Government on the subject?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE, in reply, said, that perhaps the hon. Member would give Notice of that Question.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to point out to the noble Lord that the 549 Question is included in the Question which I have just asked. The Question I asked was, whether the Government would lay upon the Table the communications addressed to the Government by Foreign Powers, and that includes Germany?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI shall have no objection to answer the Question, if Notice of it is given for next day. When I first saw the Question, I understood it to refer to the Question mentioned in the first part of my answer. I saw afterwards it might refer to more recent communications, and I added the second part of my answer; but if the hon. Member puts down the Question I will have no objection to answer it.
§ MR. O'DONNELLCan the noble Lord state without Notice whether Germany is a Foreign Power?
§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSHave any communications come from Germany or not?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have told the lion. Member, if he will ask the Question to-morrow, I will give the best answer I can to it.
§ MR. J. LOWTHERAre we to understand the noble Lord to say he is in error in saying no communications have been received from Russia?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo, Sir; the right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood my answer. What I said was, that when I first saw the Question I understood it to refer to the Circular Despatch of Lord Granville relating to the Suez Canal, and presented to Parliament some time ago. I subsequently saw it might refer to other subjects, and I answered both points; and I must say I think it would be desirable if the hon. Member for Eye would make his Questions a little more clear.
§ MR. J. LOWTHERThe noble Lord has net answered my Question, whether he withdraws the answer whether communications have been received from Russia?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have no intention of withdrawing it, as there can be no mistake about it.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTIn order that there may be no mistake about it, to-morrow I will ask whether communications have been addressed to Her Majesty's Government on the subject of the late Suez Canal proposals of the Government from Italy, Russia, 550 Austria, Germany, or from any other European Power?