HC Deb 12 June 1883 vol 280 cc382-3
MR. GORST

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, When the trial of Ahmed Khandeel will take place; whether it will be conducted in the same manner as that of Suleiman Sami; whether Major Macdonald will be instructed by Her Majesty's Government to watch the proceedings, and Sir Edward Malet to forward immediately any protest Major Macdonald may find it necessary to make against them; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will take such precautions as may be necessary to secure Ahmed Khandeel a fair trial?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, from the telegram read in the House yesterday by the Prime Minister, it would appear that the instruction in this case has been completed, and that the trial is now about to take place. The prisoner will be tried by Court Martial, as was Suleiman Sami. Major Macdonald is watching this case, as he has watched the others. It is not considered necessary to give him further instructions as to reporting to Sir Edward Malet, the instructions he has already being deemed sufficient. Sir Edward Malet has received instructions to see that Ahmed Khandeel should secure a fair trial, in keeping with the pledges given in the House, and explained in one of the despatches which will be presented.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked the noble Lord, If he would have any objection to state the exact clause under which Ahmed Khandeel was being tried; what he was being tried for; whether, as stated by The Times' Correspondent on the 10th June, he was to be indicted on a charge of want of energy in the execution of his duty; and, whether the Government would sanction his execution if he was found guilty of such a charge?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

, in reply, said, he thought it would be better if his hon. Friend gave Notice of the Question. The Foreign Office, at the present moment, did not possess information which would enable him to reply to the Question.

MR. GORST

The noble Lord has not answered that part of my Question which seeks to know whether Sir Edward Malet had been instructed to send at once to this country any communication which Major Macdonald might send?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

, in reply, said, that Sir Edward Malet had not done so. He would naturally know to forward anything of that kind without receiving instructions.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

Did he forward any protest from Major Macdonald?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

There was none.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

said, he wished to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government had received any information from Sir Edward Malet respecting the trial of Suleiman Sami?

MR. GLADSTONE

I read a telegram yesterday from Sir Edward Malet.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

But that contained nothing at all.

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

asked whether the conditions of the trial of Ahmed Khandeel would be exactly the same as in the case of Suleiman Sami?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

That is the very Question I answered just now.