§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT (Sussex, N.W.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he had received a telegram from General Grenfell, to the effect that Osman Digna was advancing from Handoub with 2,000 men, ready to defend the trenches if attacked from Suakin; and, also, since the reinforcements had been sent to Suakin, what number of troops remained at Cairo, Alexandria, Wady Haifa, and up the Nile.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)In answer to the first Question of my hon. and gallant Friend, I may say that I have received no such telegram from General Grenfell. In answer to the second Question, we accept full responsibility in respect of Lower Egypt; but I do not think it would be fair to expect us to explain to the House of Commons the precise disposition of our available forces in discharge of that responsibility.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Egyptian papers, which had been circulated that morning, were intended for the Papers which he asked for last week? They scarcely looked it.
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)Yes, Sir. They are intended for the Egyptian Papers promised. It would not be possible for the Government to give further details pending the operations.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYsaid, he fully accepted that, of course; but the right hon. Gentleman promised Papers with reference to the communications between Her Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government; and in the Papers circulated there were none of these communications, except a letter from Sir Evelyn Baring. He must press the right hon. Gentleman for a further answer.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI told the right hon. Gentleman, on a previous occasion, that these communications were exceedingly few. We have given all that it is in our power to give.