§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in view of the facts that two Egyptian exiles in Ceylon pleaded guilty of a charge which involved the confiscation of their property, by the advice of Her Majesty's Representative in Egypt, on the distinct assurance that they should receive pensions adequate for their requirements during their exile, and that the Governor of Ceylon reported in a despatch to the Colonial Secretary, which was laid before the last Parliament, that their pensions are not adequate, Her Majesty's Government will see that they are increased; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will use their good offices with the Egyptian Government to bring the exile of these gentlemen from their native country to a speedy close?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BRYCE) (Aberdeen, S.)Her Majesty's Government are not aware that the Egyptian exiles received any such assurance as stated in my hon. Friend's Question. The Papers presented to Parliament show the contrary to be the case—see Egypt. No. 8, 1883, page 3. In consequence of the representations received from the Governor of Ceylon, Her Majesty's Acting Agent at Cairo was instructed in September last to recommend to the Egyptian Government an increase of the allowances to the exiles, so as to put each of them in receipt of £435 a-year, except Arabi Pasha, who receives £600 a-year, and who has refused to share his extra allowance with his companions. Sir Evelyn Baring's attention has recently been called to the matter, and it is intended to desire him officially to again communicate with the Egyptian Government on the subject. Considering the causes which led to the deportation of these exiles, and the results which might follow their return to Egypt, Her Majesty's Government can hold out no hope that they will use their good offices in the way suggested.