§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it was true, as reported, that the French Government had broken off diplomatic relations with Egypt; and, secondly, whether the French Government had offered to release Her Majesty's Government from the unfortunate financial agreement in respect of Egypt to which the House recently gave its assent?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo such information has reached the Foreign Office.
Afterwards,
MR. GLADSTONEsaid: The answer I gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition just now was with respect to the information received up to that time. I am sorry to say that within the few minutes that have since elapsed a telegram has been received stating that the French Charge d'Affaires left Cairo this morning. I am not sure of the technical term Charge d'Affaires; but what I understand is, that it means the Representative of the French Government.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEIs that communication from Cairo?
MR. GLADSTONEIt is a telegram from Sir Evelyn Baring. It has been sent down to me, and I have no doubt that it comes from Cairo.
§ MR. BOURKEWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether or not there is any other telegram from Sir Evelyn Baring leading up to that one?
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked whether the noble Lord the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs would now answer his Question as to whether the French Government had broken off diplomatic relations with the Egyptian Government?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe information given by the Prime Minister is all that is in possession of the Foreign Office.
§ MR. O'KELLYasked if the noble Lord could state under what conditions the French Charge d'Affaires has left Cairo? Had he merely gone on a visit to Alexandria, or was there any diplomatic reason for the step?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThere are no details. The actual words received by the Foreign Office have been given to the House.
§ MR. O'KELLYasked whether it was M. Barrere or his Representative who had left Cairo?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEM. Barrere is in Paris sitting on the Suez Canal Commission. It must, therefore, be his Representative.
§ MR. O'KELLYinquired whether the Government would telegraph to Sir Evelyn Baring to ascertain under what 663 circumstances the French Charge d'Af-faires had left Cairo, in order that the House might know the facts as soon as possible?
MR. GLADSTONEI have no doubt that in the ordinary course we shall receive full information, and it will not be necessary to make a special inquiry. I should take the information which I have just given to the House as a proof that the Agents of the British Government will communicate with us with all possible rapidity.