§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government is in possession of any reliable evidence as to whether corporal punishment is employed by the Mudirs and other Egyptian employés in the collection of the revenue; and, if there be no such evidence, whether, in view of the statements of Mr. Clifford Lloyd with regard to the arbitrary acts of the Mudirs, he will cause such inquiry to be made; and, if it should be proved that corporal punishment is employed in the collection of the revenue, he will take measures to prevent this occurring in future, so long as order and tranquillity are maintained in Egypt by British troops?
MR. GLADSTONEI am informed that there is no evidence in the possession of Her Majesty's Government which would sustain the accusation supposed in the first portion of the Question. With regard to the second portion, I have to say that inquiries will be made on the subject; and in regard to the third portion, if the effect of that inquiry should be to establish the accusation, measures will be taken to prevent the thing occurring in future.
§ MR. BOURKEHas Mr. Clifford Lloyd been asked on what grounds he made the statement in which the Prime Minister says there is practically no truth?
§ MR. BOURKEHave the Government any objection to agree to the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the matter?
MR. GLADSTONEThat is a Question that I should have thought had better be put after Notice; but my first impression is adverse to the course suggested.
§ MR. BOURKEI beg to give Notice that I shall ask the Prime Minister the Question to-morrow.