SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL&c.) (Kirkcaldy,asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What Her Majesty's Government propose to do about £210,553 paid towards expenses of the Egyptian Army, and other sums, making in all £232,926, paid to the Egyptian Government in 1885–6, which the Auditor General has disallowed as paid without the sanction of Parliament; whether any sums have been paid to the Egyptian Government in 1886–7, either directly or by remitting payments due by that Government, beyond the £58,000 already sanctioned for Suakin; and whether Her Majesty's Government have yet deter mined if there is to be a Supplementary Vote for expenses connected with Egypt?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)The Accountant General has not disallowed the sum mentioned by my hon. Friend; but he reported to Parliament that he had been unable to pass the accounts, in consequence of insufficient authority or in sufficient vouchers. The Appropriation Account of 1885–6 is not yet, I believe, before the Committee of Public Accounts, who will deal with the matter. 1400 As explained in the Supplementary Army Estimates, which will be in Members' hands to-morrow, Her Majesty's I Government propose to forego the payment in the current year of the Capitation Grant for 1886–7. It is proposed to apply this contribution in settlement of claims for certain extraordinary services of the Egyptian Army, undertaken in 1885 and 1886, under the authority of the British Commander-in-Chief in Egypt. The Army and Navy Supplementary Estimates before Parliament cover all military expenses incurred in Egypt which it is proposed to impose on Imperial Funds.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLgave Notice that he should oppose the Vote.