HC Deb 11 July 1884 vol 290 cc822-3
MR. COLERIDGE KENNARD

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been directed to a letter in The Times of July 10, under the signature of Sir P. Benson Maxwell, in which certain grave derelictions of duty in the administration of affairs in Egypt are charged upon Sir Evelyn Baring and others by the writer; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government are prepared to accept the allegations as substantially accurate; and, whether an early opportunity, and what species of opportunity, will be promised for Sir Evelyn Baring, at which he may indicate his administration as in consonance with the instructions he received from Her Majesty's Government?

MR. W. J. CORBET

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been called to a further Letter from Sir P. Benson Maxwell, in The Times of the 10th instant, with reference, inter alia, to the reestablishment of the courbash in Egyptian prisons by Mr. Clifford Lloyd, in which the following passages occur:— Again, at the end of May, I found Mr. Clifford Lloyd's deputy, Dr. Crookshank, ordering floggings in Cairo by mere verbal orders, leaving no trace behind, and I was again met with a defiance of my authority to inquire into such doings. … It was time that I withdrew from the scene of English lawlessness and licence. I placed my resignation in Nubar's hands, and left Egypt; whether Dr. Crookshank is still in authority; and, if so, will he be retained; and, whether positive orders have been or will be sent to put a stop to the infliction of the courbash in the prisons of Egypt?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, I have seen the letters in question; but I cannot say that I think Sir P. Benson Maxwell charges Sir Evelyn Baring with a grave dereliction of duty, nor am I prepared to state that Sir Evelyn Baring would admit the accuracy of the statements respecting his own conduct. He will have every opportunity of defending his conduct if, which is at present not evident, he should think it necessary to do so. As to the Question of the hon. Member for Wicklow (Mr. W. J. Corbet), I beg to say that Dr. Crookshank is still in authority, and Her Majesty's Government do not understand that the Egyptian Government intend to remove him. Dr. Crookshank has undoubtedly carried out valuable reforms in the prisons, for which he deserves great credit; but Her Majesty's acting Agent at Cairo will be instructed to recommend the abolition of the courbash as the instrument of punishment in the Egyptian prisons.

MR. COLERIDGE KENNARD

asked whether the Government held themselves responsible for Sir Evelyn Baring's conduct in the administration of Egypt?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

He is undoubtedly in the service of Her Majesty's Government.

MR. COLERIDGE KENNARD

Then Her Majesty's Government hold themselves responsible for the failures of Sir Evelyn Baring as regards his administration?

[No reply.]