HC Deb 14 December 1888 vol 332 cc238-9
SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether General Grenfell has received a letter from Osman Digna; and, if so, whether its purport can be stated to the House? also, whether there is any truth in what appears in all the papers this evening, that the Mahdi has captured Emin Pasha and the white traveller with him, who is supposed to be Stanley?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

So far as we know—we have it only by telegraph—the letter contained statements as to the surrender of Emin Bey and of a white traveller who was with him; but Her Majesty's Government have no means of knowing whether the allegations are well founded.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)

I should like to ask a Question of the First Lord of the Treasury, and that is, in view of the statement contained in the letter which has been received from Osman Digna by General Grenfell, and in view of the fact that British subjects are now, if the contents of the letter be true, in the power of the ruling authorities at Khartoum, whether the Government will not consider the desirability of seriously contemplating negotiations for the release of those persons before entering upon hostilities with the tribes around Suakin?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I am not able to answer the Question at the present moment. Perhaps the noble Lord will put the Question down for Monday.