§ MR. GIBSONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Have Her Majesty's Government yet ascertained the fate of the 1,000 women and children in Sinkat; and, what applications have they made for such information?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, I regret to say that a telegram has been received from Her Majesty's Consul at Suakim, stating that no women or children have reached that place from Sinkat; that, as the soldiers carried their wives, they were probably killed; but that the fate of the children is more uncertain.
§ MR. GIBSONWill the noble Lord state the day when the Government asked for the information?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have not the actual telegram with me, but I have no objection to produce it.
§ MR. GIBSONWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he thought it was worth while to ask any question-about it? What telegrams were sent?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThis was the first.
§ MR. GIBSONWhat is the date?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe Question on the Paper is, what application was made? I meant to imply by my answer that the information I gave was in reply to a question addressed by us to the Consul at Suakim.
§ MR. GIBSONWhen?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have not got the telegram with me.
§ MR. GIBSONThe Question has been on the Paper for three days whether and what application has been made for information, and the noble Lord's answer shows that it was made. What I want to know is, when the Government asked for the information? I do not ask for the words.
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThat is a new Question. I have already said I have not the least objection to give the date.
§ MR. GIBSONWhat is it?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI have not got it with me.
§ MR. GIBSONI will repeat this Question to-morrow.