§ MR. M'COANasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Egyptian Press Law is still in existence; whether, according to it, three "warnings" must precede the 1036 suppression of any newspaper subject to its provisions; whether such "warnings" were given to the Bosphore Egyptien before its recent suppression; whether the decree ordering such suppression emanated from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as provided by the Press Law, or from the Ministry of the Interior, of which Mr. Clifford Lloyd is the Under Secretary; whether such decree has been sanctioned by Sir Evelyn Baring; whether the specific offence for which the suspension has been ordered was the publication of an article in the issue of the condemned newspaper for the 18th of February last, in which the influence of Sir Evelyn Baring on Egyptian Administration was unfavourably, but still moderately and respectfully, commented on; and, whether he will lay Copies of such article, of the decree suppressing the newspaper, and of any Despatches received from Cario on the subject, upon the Table of the House?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, I have already stated that no despatches have been received from Sir Evelyn Baring on the subject; and, in the meanwhile, it must be assumed that the proceedings in question have been conducted according to law. When they arrive, they will be examined with a view to their publication in the ordinary course.
MR. O'BRIENasked whether any complaint had been received from France in reference to the treatment of these miserable papers?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo communication has been received.
§ MR. M'COANsaid, as the paper had been suppressed for 10 or 12 days, he would put the same Question on Thursday.