§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can state the number of British soldiers now in Egypt, together with an approximate Estimate of the rate of cost per annum to the British Treasury of the occupation?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WAR DEPARTMENT (Mr. HERBERT GLADSTONE)(who replied) (Leeds, W.)said: The approximate number of British troops now serving in Egypt is 14,000; but orders have been given which will reduce the force to about 9,000. The extra cost of the occupation beyond the ordinary expense of the troops may be taken at £700,000 a-year, towards which the estimated contribution by the Egyptian Government is £170,000.