§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any preliminary steps have been taken with a view to the contingency of reinforcing the British garrison in Egypt?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE)(who replied) said (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I have already stated that we fully recognize our responsibility in this matter; but that we are not prepared to communicate to the House the steps we have taken, or are taking, with respect to it.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say whether, before they act on their responsibility to send troops to Egypt, they will consult the House; and also whether, if troops are sent to Egypt, the expense will be thrown on the Egyptian Government or on Her Majesty's Government?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIn answer to the first Question, I can only say that I cannot give any such undertaking. The responsibility must be on Her Majesty's Government. I have already had Notice of a Question on the matter of expense; and I would rather delay an answer on the point until that Question is put to me.