§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTESir, I wish to put to the Government a 2 Question which, perhaps, the hon. Gentleman the Secretary to the Treasury will be able to answer. It is with regard to the conduct of Public Business. I am very anxious, before the House separates, to make some observations upon the important questions affecting our Egyptian policy. I might, of course, take the opportunity of proposing a separate Motion, or of moving the adjournment of the House for the purpose I have mentioned; but I am reluctant to adopt any step of that kind. My object, as originally intended, was to raise a discussion upon the second reading of the Appropriation Bill. I hoped that that stage could have been reached by Friday, and that I might have had the opportunity of making my observations then. I have been in communication with the Prime Minister, and have received from him a note which was written late last night, in which he says—
As we now find that Supply cannot close to-morrow, I will take the Report as the first 3 Order on Friday to enable you to use it as an opportunity for making remarks on Egypt.That would suit me very well, and would be more convenient to the House than taking the discussion on Saturday. But what I wish to know is, whether I should be considered in Order in raising generally questions like Lord Northbrook's Mission and questions relating to the Conference upon the Report of Supply; or whether it would be possible to hold over one of the Reports of Supply—namely, that with reference to the Vote of Credit, and take it as the first Order on Friday? I might then be able, by the indulgence of the House, to make such observations as I should wish to offer.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI do not know whether the right hon. Baronet opposite (Sir Stafford Northcote) would be in Order in making the observations he desires upon the Foreign Office Vote for supplementary telegrams, which would include telegrams largely relating to the affairs of Egypt. Possibly it would be in Order to make the observations upon that Vote.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI wish to place myself entirely in the hands of the House and the Government with regard to the form in which it should be done, provided I could in some way or other make my observations on Friday. Perhaps, if no arrangement can be made at this moment, it maybe arrived before the House rises to-day.
§ MR. COURTNEYThe terms of the particular Vote on which the right hon. Baronet might make his observations are to the effect that a Supplementary sum not exceeding £5,000 be granted to defray the charge for the salaries and expenses of the Department of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Those terms are so wide and general, that I think the right hon. Baronet would be in Order in raising the debate he desires.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONMay I respectfully ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether we shall be allowed to discuss the Egyptian policy of the Government on that Vote?
§ MR. SPEAKERYes; that would be in Order. The Vote is of so wide a nature that it would be permissible to go into the whole question.