§ MR. W. H. JAMES (Gateshead)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government recognize, and, if so, in what measure, the rights of the Egyptian Government to conclude Commercial Conventions or Treaties with Foreign Powers; and, whether, under existing Treaties, the sanction of the Porte is necessary in each case?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N. E.)Her Majesty's Government certainly recognize the right of His Highness the Khedive to conclude Commercial Treaties and Conventions with Foreign Powers which are not in derogation of the Political Treaties of the Sultan, nor of His Imperial Majesty's sovereign rights over Egypt, the matter being expressly regulated by the Firman of Investiture granted to the present Khedive, and dated the 2nd of August, 1879, which will be found at page 51 of the Parliamentary Paper, Egypt No. 1, 1880.