§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCK (London University)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is correct that the French Government have refused their assent to the financial arrangements necessary for the abolition of the corvée in Egypt?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)It is not correct to say that the French Government refused their assent to the financial arrangements necessary for the abolition of the corvée in Egypt; and the Under Secretary of State for India contradicted the statement in the debate upon the Amendment of the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Cremer). The French Government were not satisfied with some of the Articles of 1080 the proposed Decree for the abolition of the corvée; and it was apprehended that the consequent delay would necessitate the calling out of the peasantry to clear the canals. Since that debate, a telegram has been received stating that the French Government have now signified their adhesion to the Decree on certain conditions; that an arrangement is probable, and that if arrived at within a few days it would still be in time to prevent corvée work being actually begun.