HC Deb 18 June 1883 vol 280 cc793-5
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked the Tinder Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been drawn to an extract in the "Morning Post" of Friday, 15th June, from the Egyptian Gazette, giving an account of the trial of Suleiman Sami; and, if so, whether he can ascertain whether it is the case, as stated in that account, that Suleiman Sami pleaded "not guilty;" that his advocate, Jacobbi, requested permission to open the proceedings by lodging certain evidence taken in another case which bore specially upon the one before the Court; whether the Court refused. such permission, and at once called upon the Public Prosecutor; whether the Public Prosecutor in his speech used the following expression:— By its sentence the Court would afford some consolation to those who had suffered from the cruelties perpetrated on the fatal day of the 11th of June; whether, at the conclusion of the speech of the Public Prosecutor, Mr. Jacobbi objected to the course taken in having heard the Public Prosecutor before the witnesses had given their evidence; whether Mr. Jacobbi applied that the depositions and other documents taken in the trial of Arabi should be brought before the court, as they bore special reference to the trial of Suleiman Sami whether the court refused the application, and thereupon the advocate, Jacobbi, throw up his brief, after a long and elaborate protest, which he handed to the court; whether that protest can be obtained and laid upon the Table of the House; what part, if any, Major Macdonald took in the discussions; whether he has made any Report of the proceedings to Sir E. Malet, and, whether such Report can be laid upon the Table; and, in the event of no such Report having been made, whether Her Majesty's Government will call for one, and lay it upon the Table; whether he has received any information as to the report that Suleiman Sami was poisoned or drugged on the night preceding his execution; and, whether, as in this Country, any post mortem examination of the body was made?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, I am not in a position to give to the House any information on the points alluded to by the noble Lord. Major Macdonald will forward his Report upon the trial to Sir Edward Malet, and it will in due course be laid before Parlia- ment. Her Majesty's Government have received no information to the effect that Suleiman Sami was poisoned or drugged on the night preceding his execution. I am not aware whether any post mortem examination of the body was made.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Will the noble Lord be prepared to answer the Question in another week?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I must refer the noble Lord to the Report of Major Macdonald, which will be laid before the House.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

When will that be, because I shall ask the Question unanswered without delay?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I cannot tell the exact date.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I shall repeat the Question in a week.