CAPTAIN AYLMERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that Sir A. Colvin, the Financial Adviser to the Khedive, appointed by Her Majesty's Government, has been offered and accepted the appointment of Governor or Chairman of a French Banking Company, hitherto known as the Credit Foncier Egyptian; and, whether, if this is the case, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to sanction this proceeding?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, Her Majesty's Government have been informed that the Credit Foncier of Egypt, an Egyptian Company, has proposed to put itself into more direct relations with the Government by the nomination of a Governor and two Commissioners to be appointed by the Government, and the name of Sir Auckland Colvin has been suggested for the former post. Her Majesty's Government have expressed no opinion as to the advisability of this appointment. Nothing will, however, be settled until the general assembly of the Company meets in April, and until then the Presidency will continue to be held by its present occupant.