§ SIR BERNHARD SAMUELSONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any information has been received; recently from Sir Evelyn Baring, as to the progress of irrigation works and to the abolition of forced labour in Egypt; whether papers on these subjects will be laid before Parliament shortly; and, whether they can, without inconvenience, be presented separately from any other Papers relating to Egypt?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BRYCE)Some Reports as to the progress of irrigation works in Egypt have been received; but there is no detailed information of a very recent date. Colonel Moncrieff, who is at the head of the Irrigation Department, has obtained a grant from the proceeds of the Guaranteed Loan for the purpose of making preliminary studies before submitting plans for larger operations. Reports have been received, and correspondence is still passing, as to the means of effecting the entire abolition of forced labour in Egypt. A system of commuting the obligation for a money payment has already been tried as an experiment in certain districts. There will be no objection to presenting the Papers on these subjects in a separate form, as the hon. Baronet desires, as soon as a definite decision has been taken.