HC Deb 28 February 1884 vol 285 cc66-7
MR. GIBSON

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Have the Government received any further tidings as to the fate of the 1,000 women and children in Sinkat; have they any reason to think that any of them escaped; what were the date and words of the first application for information made by them; and, how many such applications were made?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, in a despatch, dated the 12th instant, received by post this morning, from Consul Baker at Suakin, he states that all reports agree that Tewfik Bey was overwhelmed by numbers and that all perished with the exception of 30 women and six men. Mr. Baker was instructed by telegraph, on the 22nd instant, to ascertain the fate of the women and children in Sinkat. The telegram will be laid before Parliament in the next general Blue Book.