§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What arrangements Pier Majesty's Government intend making for payment of the amount of the awards of the International Egyptian Indemnity Commissioners for the properties destroyed at Alexandria during the war; if the sums already awarded amount to about four millions sterling; if Her Majesty's Government will be good enough to inform the House the total amount of the deficit at present existing in Egyptian finance; whether it is intended to ask the European Powers to modify existing arrangements for repayment to the bondholders by charging them with the cost of collecting the interest upon their properties in lieu of the Egyptian Treasury; and, whether it is intended to consolidate the whole of the bondholding debts, declare limited protectorate, and reduce and guarantee the rate of interest during such protectorate?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, the amount of the indemnities already allowed is, approximately, over £4,250,000. The question of the payment of the awards is under consideration. In reply to my hon. Friend's Questions on the subject of Egyptian finance, I must refer him to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere) on Monday last.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLOn this point I should like to ask the noble Lord a Question. He spoke of the amount already awarded. Is it contemplated that such amount will be much added to, or have the labours of the Commissioners nearly terminated?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEIt is not contemplated that there will be any material increase; but the exact figures have not yet been received, and, therefore, I gave what may be called the general result.