§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether instructions have been conveyed to the military commanders at Suakin, in conformity with the assurance given by the Marquess of Salisbury, as to expeditions from Suakin to a deputation on the 11th of May last, that—
So far as any advice we can give to the Egyptian Government goes, we discourage military expeditions into the country as likely to make the disease worse which we seek to cure?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)Most certainly, yes. The answer is in the affirmative.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYWho is the Political Agent at Suakin, and what are 233 the means by which we convey this discouragement to the military commanders at Suakin?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe Government have given the most complete and positive indications of their views in this matter. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that there can be no doubt whatever as to the meaning and intention of those communications, or the result of them.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYI do not want to embarrass the right hon. Gentleman; but I hope he will be able to answer the question as to who is the Political Agent at Suakin.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am under the impression that Colonel Kitchener is the Political Agent, but I am not sure. That is my impression; but I may be inaccurate. I have had no Notice of the Question, and am not always aware of the arrangements made.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYThe Question was asked yesterday by one of my hon. Friends behind me; and, if I may say so, Colonel Kitchener can hardly be the Political Agent, for he is the Adjutant General of the Egyptian Army, and is in command of one of the brigades in the field.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHIf the right hon. Gentleman will put the Question down for Monday, I will take care that he is accurately answered. I only spoke from my own impression.