HC Deb 08 February 1884 vol 284 cc306-8
MR. SALT

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether General Gordon was appointed Governor General of the Soudan with or without the assent of Her Majesty's Government; if with such assent, to what Government is he responsible when he is instructed to report on the best means of giving effect to the resolution of the Khedive to withdraw from the interior of the Soudan and … to act in the execution of the measure?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I will give to the House all the information on the subject which the Government possess. In the instructions to General Gordon, dated January 18, which have been laid on the Table of the House, the following paragraph occurs:— You will consider yourself authorized and instructed to perform such other duties as the Egyptian Government may desire to intrust to you, and as may he communicated to you by Sir Evelyn Baring. On the 4th of this month Lord Granville asked Sir Evelyn Baring whether General Gordon had accepted any appointment from the Khedive. On the 5th Sir Evelyn Baring informed Lord Granville that it was at his own request that General Gordon had received the Firman appointing him Governor General of the Soudan, with full powers, civil and military; and he added that it would be necessary that this should be done. With regard to the other part of the Question, I am not at present in possession of the full instructions which may have been given to General Gordon at Cairo. I believe, however, that further information of that sort has been received to-day, and it will be very shortly laid on the Table of the House.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I wish to ask the noble Marquess whether it is the fact that Her Majesty's Government instructed, or ordered, the Egyptian Government to abandon the Soudan; and, if so, how Her Majesty's Government reconciled the appointment of an officer in the full pay of Her Majesty's Service to the post of the Governor General of the Soudan under the Khedive, and whether the policy of abandonment has been abandoned by the Government?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

As this Question involves matter of debate, I cannot enter into it. It will probably be entered into on Tuesday next.

LORD JOHN MANNERS

I wish to ask the noble Marquess, whether the further instructions which he understands to have been given to General Gordon at Cairo proceeded from Sir Evelyn Baring or from the Khedive himself?

TUE MAEQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I do not know, Sir; I have not seen them, and I cannot say.