§ MR. COLERIDGE KENNARDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, with reference to the Letter addressed to The Times by Mr. Clifford Lloyd, in regard to the present critical condition of internal affairs in Egypt, he can state to the House the grounds upon which Mr. Clifford Lloyd was suddenly withdraw from his post, and from the further development of such administrative reforms as are requisite to the existence of social order and governmental stability in Egypt? In putting the Question, the hon. Member said, he had done so entirely on his own responsibility, and without consultation with anyone; he should like to know whether anyone else had been appointed to carry on the merciful work which Mr. Clifford Lloyd had commenced.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORMay I interpret this Question by asking whether a combination of brutal ill-temper and small mental power rendered Mr. Clifford Lloyd utterly unfit for his position in Egypt; whether his action did not tend to retard rather than advance reforms in Egypt; and whether his leave of absence was not in reality a dismissal, rendered necessary by his utter incapacity?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEMr. Clifford Lloyd left Egypt owing to certain painful differences of opinion between him and various high officials, both English and Egyptian. I must demur, however, to the accuracy of the term employed in the later part of the Question of the hon. Member for Salis- 1872 bury (Mr. C. Kennard). Her Majesty's Government have not assumed, and do not intend to assume, the entire internal administration of Egypt. They have claimed, and will continue to claim, the right to advise on all important subjects, and that that advice shall be attended to both as regards things and persons.
MR. JUSTIN HUNTLY M'CARTHYMay I ask the noble Lord why Mr. Clifford Lloyd was quickly removed from his position in Egypt in deference to Egyptian opinion, and why he was retained so long in his position in Ireland in defiance to the public opinion of Ireland?
§ [No reply.]