§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Agreement between the Powers with regard to the administration of Egypt has been signed; and, if so, whether he is able to communicate to the House the character of that arrangement?
MR. GLADSTONEI was rising from my seat at the moment when the right hon. Baronet rose to make some observations on this very matter. I take this opportunity of thanking the right hon. Gentleman and those who sit round him for the great considerateness which they have shown in refraining from putting Questions on this particular subject. The delay has been a very long delay, and certainly much longer than I expected it would be when Questions were at first put to me. But at last I am happy to say that these deliberations have come to a close. I would observe, with reference to the words used by the right hon. Baronet, that it is an Agreement, not for the administration of Egypt, but for the regulation of the 1446 finances of that country. The matter is now substantially closed, and a Declaration relating to the Agreement has been signed to-day at the Foreign Office by all the Ambassadors who assembled there, and the Convention itself is to be signed to-morrow. With regard to the nature of the Convention, it would not, I think, be convenient that I should attempt to enter upon it now, nor could I, perhaps, give a perfectly accurate account of it on all points. Papers are in progress of preparation with all possible speed, and will be laid upon the Table at the earliest possible moment. In the course of to-morrow or the next day my noble Friend, I daresay, will be able to state the precise date when those Papers will be presented. I can assure the House that we are most anxious not to lose a moment; and when they are laid upon the Table we shall be equally anxious not to lose a moment in bringing the matter under the notice of the House.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEAs the printing of the Papers must take some time, it would be greatly for the public convenience if we could be furnished, without delay, with information as to the general character of the Agreement that has been made.
MR. GLADSTONEThe remark of the right hon. Baronet is quite just. It is desirable that the House should have as much time as possible for examining the matter; and I will consider what, upon the whole, would be the most convenient course to adopt.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEI will put a Question on the subject tomorrow.