§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, How many shallow water armed fighting steamers are at present engaged in patrolling the Nile, and, whether, at its next rising, it is intended that a flotilla of portable armed steam craft shall be despatched for the purpose of clearing the upper reaches of the river of hostile tribes between Wady Haifa, Dongola, and Berber?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN)With the hon. Member's permission, I will reply to this Question. The Nile is at present patrolled by four armed shallow-water steamers, all stern-wheelers—the Lotus and Shaban above Wady Haifa, and the Tamai and El Teb between that place and Assouan. Two other vessels for this duty have been sent out and have arrived at Alexandria. I am not aware of any such intention on the part of the Government as that indicated in the latter part of the Question.