§ MR. GIBSONasked, Whether Suakim and the ports of the Red Sea littoral are within the jurisdiction of General Gordon; and, whether the Government have received any further information respecting the 1,000 women and children said to have been massacred at Sinkat?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEGeneral Gordon, in the Khedive's letter of appointment, is styled "Governor General of the Soudan; "and at page 9 of Colonel Stewart's Report the political Soudan is stated to include the places mentioned by the right hon. and learned Gentleman. The fate of the women and children in Sinkat has not yet been definitely ascertained.
§ MR. GIBSONMay I assume that General Gordon's command does not extend to Suakim?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo, Sir; I limited my answer carefully, because there is no precise information in the Proclamation, and it would be inconvenient to go beyond it.
§ MR. GIBSONsaid, the Question of which he had given Notice was, whether certain parts of the littoral were within the jurisdiction of General Gordon as Governor General of the Soudan? To that the answer might be "no;" but he expected an answer, and he should repeat the Question to morrow. In reference to the second answer of the noble Lord, that he does not know what has become of the 1,000 women and children in Sinkat, would he telegraph to Admiral Hewett to try to find out as to their fate?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThere have been frequent communications with Admiral Hewett, and he sends home full information. Knowing the painful interest which was felt at home, no doubt he will send all the information he has.
§ MR. GIBSONHas he sent it?