§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Who is accountable for the appointment of Mr. Clifford Lloyd to the responsible post of Home Secretary in Egypt; whether, prior to his appointment, he possessed any special knowledge of the language or customs of the Egyptian People; and, if he has yet succeeded in promoting any of the internal reforms indicated by Lord Dufferin? The hon. Member complained that his Question had been altered. He had referred to Mr. Lloyd as lately a magistrate in Ireland.
§ MR. RYLANDSwished to know whether Mr. Clifford Lloyd could be dismissed by the Khedive, or whether it was necessary to have the sanction of the British Government before he could be deprived of his office?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI can, of course, only answer the Question on the Paper. I have already stated in this House that Mr. Clifford Lloyd was appointed by the Egyptian Government. There was a recommendation on the part of Lord Spencer and Lord Dufferin. I have no information as to the second Question; and, in reply to the third, I would refer him to the statement which I made in the House on the Vote of Censure. The Question of the Member for Burnley (Mr. Rylands) should be placed on the Paper of Business. I hardly think it desirable to go into a general reply as to the position of Mr. Clifford Lloyd in Egypt further than to say that he is employed by the Egyptian Government. I cannot say anything about the Irish part of the Question.
§ MR. M'COANasked whether the Report of Sir Evelyn Baring with regard to the action of Mr. Clifford Lloyd in suppressing certain Egyptian newspapers would be issued during the Recess?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, that it would be presented to Parliament in the next batch of Egyptian Papers.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked whether Her Majesty's Government had received any confirmation of the statement in the papers of that morning that the action of Nubar Pasha in intriguing 29 against Mr. Clifford Lloyd in his absence had been generally condemned?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThat is a Question I cannot answer without Notice.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTECan the Government give us any information as to the state of things described in Cairo respecting the relations between Mr. Clifford Lloyd and Nubar Pasha, and especially as to whether any information has been received with regard to the retirement, or contemplated retirement, of Nubar Pasha from office?
MR. GLADSTONENo, Sir; no definite information can be given to the House in a matter as to which we have not ourselves received any information. A difficulty, as is well known, has existed between Nubar Pasha and Mr. Clifford Lloyd; but no decision has been arrived at with respect to it in Egypt. No resignation has been received.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked whether Mr. Lloyd could appoint his own subordinates without the sanction of Her Majesty's Government?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThat is a matter of detail in Egyptian administration, and does not arise out of the Question.