HC Deb 14 February 1884 vol 284 cc893-4
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

asked the Prime Minister, Whether in respect to that portion of the duties to be discharged by General Gordon on behalf of Her Majesty's Government the cost would be met by a Vote of the House of Commons, or would be charged upon the Revenues of Egypt?

MR. GLADSTONE

Certainly, Sir; any expenses belonging to the Mission of General Gordon, as originally projected by this Government, would be defrayed by this country. I do not anticipate that they are at all likely to be serious; but the direct action and direct functions in which General Gordon was immediately connected with this Government are, I think, pretty much absorbed in the greater duties of the large Mission which he has undertaken under the immediate authority of the Egyptian Government, with the full moral and political responsibility of the British Government.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate by telegraph with General Gordon, asking him whether he is the agent of the Egyptian Government?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think I have given a tolerably complete reply to the Question of the noble Lord. With respect to the date of the assumption of the authority, I am not quite certain that we are in possession of the exact day; but that can be without difficulty ascertained.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is intended that any orders or instructions that may be given to General Gordon by the Egyptian Government will be communicated to, or made through, our Representatives in Egypt?

MR. GLADSTONE

I should like to answer that Question particularly; and, therefore, I would rather have an opportunity of inquiring. I think that when General Gordon went out from this country the arrangement made was that he should receive all his instructions through Sir Evelyn Baring. It is quite possible that that arrangement continues.

MR. BOURKE

I observe that General Gordon has proceeded to the Soudan to restore the independence of certain people there. I should like to know whether, in executing that commission, General Gordon is executing the orders of Her Majesty's Government directly, or the orders of the Egyptian Government, or of the Sultan of Turkey? I understand the words of Her Majesty's Government in giving directions to General Gordon to restore certain people to their independence in the Soudan must, of course, secure to them possession of the Soudan. I should like to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have the commission of the Sultan of Turkey, as the Sovereign of that country, to declare that independence, or whether they are acting entirely on their own responsibility?

MR. GLADSTONE

We have no commission from the Sultan of Turkey with reference to the Soudan. The action of Her Majesty's Government has been, I believe, so carefully framed as not in any way to touch or infringe upon whatever rights the Sultan of Turkey, as Sovereign of the country, may have.