§ MR. GOURLEYasked the noble Lord to be good enough to inform the House, Whether the new International arrangements regarding the navigation of the Suez Canal will admit of its being used for the passage of ships of war and troops belonging to Powers at war with each other; if so, whether it is intended that they may engage in hostilities within or in the immediate neighbourhood of the mouths of the Canal; and, further, to inquire if the new regulations will be binding upon Turkey and Egypt with Nations with whom they may be at war?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative; to the second, in the negative. In reply to the third part, I have to state that such was the intention of the Circular of January 3, 1883, which is adopted as the basis for the International Agreement.