§ MR. BOURKEI wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is now in a position to state when Lord Duffrin's letter, which has been so often alluded to during the last fortnight, will be produced?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI cannot, at present, give any precise information on this question. As my 1168 right hon. Friend is aware, it is usual in these cases—especially in cases of this importance—to allow the writer of an important despatch of this kind to see it before it takes its final form in print; and, out of ordinary fairness to Lord Dufferin, no exception can possibly be made in this case. The earliest opportunity was taken to return the despatch back to Lord Dufferin; and as soon as it is returned, and it can consistently with the interest of the Public Service be reproduced, it shall be presented to the House. There are two other most important despatches of Lord Dufferin on the re-organization of Egypt in the Blue Book which I presented a very few days ago—namely, on the 10th of February. They covered eight or nine pages of print; and I cannot conceive that my right hon. Friend could possibly be better employed in preparing himself for reading Lord Dufferin's most important despatch, than by marking and inwardly digesting the two despatches which are contained in that Blue Book.
§ MR. BOURKEConsidering the very extraordinary character of the answer I have just received, entering as it does into most controversial matter, not only with respect to the despatch I have asked for, but with respect to other despatches, I will take the earliest opportunity which the Forms of this House will allow—probably this evening—of bringing the whole subject before the House.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI wish to ask if the Government referred to Lord Dufferin by telegraph?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo, Sir; I said the despatch had been referred back to Lord Dufferin, in order to allow him to read it over in print before it was presented to the House. My right hon. Friend, who has occupied the Office which I have the honour to hold, knows that that is the usual course, and must be aware that it would be unfair to Lord Dufferin if an exception were made in this case.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFI would ask the noble Lord whether it would not be possible to instruct Lord Dufferin to make any correction he may wish to make by telegraph? That course has been pursued before.
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEYes, Sir; no doubt it would be possible; but Her Majesty's Government natu- 1169 rally desire not to press Lord Dufferin unduly, but to give him the ordinary freedom and latitude of time which is allowed to all members of the Diplomatic Service, especially to those who, like Lord Dufferin, hold a most difficult post at a most arduous and critical time.
§ MR. BOURKEI would ask whether Lord Dufferin has evinced the slightest disposition to make any alteration in the despatch; or whether it has been suggested by Her Majesty's Government that such alterations should be made?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI must say, Sir, that I am perfectly astonished at a question of such sort being put. I have just now reminded the House that the right hon. Gentleman has held the Office which I now hold, and he knows perfectly well—[Mr. BOURKE: No, I do not]—that we are simply pursuing the ordinary course; and it would be a most exceptional act on the part of Her Majesty's Government, in the case of a most interesting and important despatch, if we did not give to Lord Dufferin the same opportunity which the right hon. Gentleman and Lord Beaconsfield's Government almost invariably gave in regard to every despatch, certainly with regard to every important despatch—to those who, a few years ago, at an equally difficult time, and under equally difficult circumstances, represented this country abroad.
MR. GORSTWill the noble Lord answer categorically the question put to him by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for King's Lynn—namely, whether Her Majesty's Government had or had not suggested to Lord Dufferin certain alterations in that despatch?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI rather thought my right hon. Friend would prefer, on reflection, not to press that question. But, as I am pressed, I beg most categorically and most clearly to say to the right hon. Gentleman and to the House, that Her Majesty's Government do not deal in secret instructions, or anything of that kind.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked whether the despatch would be presented to the House as soon as it came back from Egypt and was printed? He asked the question because the noble Lord said that he would produce it as soon as it was consistent with the Public Service; 1170 but that was different from the statement which he first made.
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI think the question which my hon. Friend has asked me is a very fair one, and contrasts in some way with the question of the right hon. Gentleman. I just wish to recall the exact words which I used in speaking in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Sir Wilfrid Lawson). I said—
I thought it would he soon in my power to produce other Papers, and amongst others a despatch of great importance from Lord Dufferin.I do not go back on one word of what I said; but I cannot altogether accept every interpretation that has since been put by some of my hon. Friends upon those words.
§ MR. PULESTONThe noble Lord has not replied to the question.
§ MR. BOURKEIn consequence of the answer to the questions given by the noble Lord, I beg to give Notice that I shall this evening, or whenever we reach the Report on the Address, ask certain questions and make some observations on the following subjects:—Lord Dufferin's despatch; the condition of political prisoners in Egypt; the progress of the International Commission now sitting to inquire into the indemnity claims arising out of the massacres of the 11th of June; the condition of affairs in the Soudan; and the attitude of the Foreign Powers as to the position we now hold in Egypt.