HC Deb 20 February 1885 vol 294 c932
MR. PULESTON

wished to know when the Prime Minister would be prepared to make a statement as to the financial arrangements of Egypt?

MR. GLADSTONE

No, Sir; I am unable to state the precise time at which that can be done. There is a good deal of detail connected with the settlement of the matter; and, although great progress has been made with it, and there is every expectation that the time will be very short, indeed, now—there will be no renewal of the considerable delay which has marked some former stages of these proceedings—still, I cannot yet name a day. All I can say is that we are very desirous to lay the Papers on the Table at the earliest moment, which, I hope, will be a very early one.

MR. PULESTON

asked whether it was correct, as reported, that all the Powers were in accord upon the subject?

MR. GLADSTONE

I think so, Sir. I think that the points remaining for discussion are so comparatively slight that, to the best of our belief, all the Powers are in accord, though the arrangements, as I think I have said, are not complete.