§ MR. M'COANasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; What is the present amount of the Egyptian Floating Debt, exclusive of 1329 the loan for £950,000 recently negotiated with Messrs. Rothschild; and, whether Her Majesty's Government regard the letters of Lord Granville on the subject of this loan as entailing any responsibility, moral or otherwise, for its repayment?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe present amount of the Egyptian Floating Debt, exclusive of the recent loan from Messrs. Rothschild, is £1,050,000; but Her Majesty's Government are not at present in possession of any official information on the subject. Her Majesty's Government do not regard the letters of Lord Granville as entailing any financial responsibility upon them for a loan, which they were glad Messrs. Rothschild found themselves able to arrange.
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHWill the noble Lord state the rates at which the £1,050,000 has been raised?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI cannot state that.
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSWill the noble Lord object to-morrow to answer the Question as it appears on the Paper, and state whether the Government regard Lord Granville's letter as entailing any responsibility, moral or otherwise, for the payment of the loan?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI do not see how I can reply with regard to moral responsibility. Either there is financial responsibility or there is not; and as to that I have given an answer.