HC Deb 20 November 1884 vol 294 cc69-71
MR. GLADSTONE

I am under an engagement to give some day this week an intimation to the House with respect to the financial condition of Egypt, and to the Report and recommendations of the Earl of Northbrook, and I may as well do it now. The House must be aware that we have had to meet for the last week or 10 days rather unusual demands of domestic affairs. But we have not failed to give our best attention to the statements and recommendations of our Colleague the Earl of Northbrook. We are now engaged in framing a proposal which we intend to bring under the consideration of the Powers. That is a matter of necessity in almost any such proposals. When this communication has been brought to an issue the results will be made public, as they have been before; and I may add that the engagements we have given to Parliament with respect to reserving its jurisdiction and control in respect to finance still hold good in all their force. In these circumstances, Sir, of course, there can be no publication at present of any Papers in connection with the Mission of the Earl of Northbrook.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

With reference to the important statement which the Prime Minister has just made with regard to the Earl of North-brook's proposals, I wish to understand what position we are in with regard to communication with the Powers? There was in the summer a communication made to the Powers, and a Conference invited. But before that Conference could be held some separate negotiations had to take place with Prance in respect to several important points. These fell through, in consequence of the Conference not succeeding. But, now that this question is raised again, will the communications that were so made between this Government and the Government of France in the summer be held to be in force; or will there be any necessity for a special correspondence with France on the subject?

MR. GLADSTONE

No, Sir. The House remembers in what manner and degree what I think we agreed to call the "Anglo-French Agreement" was associated with the proceedings of the Conference in the summer. There will be no such association in the case of the present contemplated correspondence.

MR. BOURKE

The House will recollect that at the end of last Session the right hon. Gentleman said that this country had regained its liberty of action, owing to the disagreement of the Powers. Now, I want to know whether Her Majesty's Government are going to abandon their liberty of action again?

MR. GLADSTONE

Certainly, Sir; the right hon. Gentleman is endowed with greater gifts than we are if he can perceive a method of action in regard to Egyptian finance which shall be totally independent of the consent of the Powers, as Egypt is a country whose finances are mainly governed by International engagements. But I may say that we are in full possession of our liberty of action; and we shall be very cautious, indeed, with regard to any restraint which we may think expedient for the public interest to place upon it.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I wish to ask the Prime Minister whether it was not the fact that the communication with the Powers of the result of the Anglo-French Agreement was made simultaneously with their announcement to this House; and I want to know why the present proposals cannot be announced in this House simultaneously with their communication to the Powers?

MR. GLADSTONE

The communication made to this House with regard to the Anglo-French Agreement was made on very special grounds, and apart from its separate nature. But to communicate to the House what we are going to lay before the Powers would be doing in International affairs precisely that which everybody feels would be impossible in private business, and would be contrary to all precedent in such matters, and, as we think, to all hope of arriving at a practical issue.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to be in a position to make any statement, and whether that will be before we adjourn?

MR. GLADSTONE

Well, Sir, the time and period are too early for me to venture upon a statement of that kind. I am not at all in a position to say at this moment how long these Autumn Sittings are likely to endure; consequently, I have not the elements before me necessary to enable me to give an answer to the Question.

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

The Prime Minister accentuated the word "financial" arrangements between the Powers, which, he said, would be communicated to the House. Are we to understand that no other arrangements will be communicated to the House?

MR. GLADSTONE

Oh, dear, no, Sir. I used the word "financial" merely because that is the centre of the whole question, and not in the least degree to draw a distinction between that and any other part of the question which may be termed otherwise than financial.