§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (for Sir H. DRUMMOND WOLFF)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether application has been or will be made by Her Majesty's Government to the Sultan for an exequatur to enable Major Baring to enter on his duties as Her Majesty's Consul General in Egypt; and, whether any understanding had been arrived at with Foreign Powers on the proposals contained in Lord Granville's Circular Despatch of January 3rd, 1883, with respect to the Suez Canal?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEYes, Sir; the usual course of applying for the bérat or exequatur will be followed. In answer to the next Question, I have to say that certain observations, of an entirely friendly character, have been received from different Foreign Powers on the proposals in question; but no final understanding in regard to them has yet been arrived at.