§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What is the estimated extra charge upon Egyptian Revenues on account of the recent despatch of British and Egyptian troops to Suakin; and, whether, in view of the following statement made by the Marquess of Salisbury on the 16th of March— 435
I do not think that the retention of Suakin is any advantage to the Egyptian Government. Speaking from the point of view of that Government's own interest, I should say 'Abandon Suakin at once,'Her Majesty's Government now intend to impose upon Egyptian Revenues the whole or any part of the cost incurred recently in the defence of Suakin?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)No estimate of the charges referred to in the first paragraph of my noble Friend's Question is possible. The immediate charges are no more than the cost of transport in Egyptian State Railways and steamers, or by a line of march within Egyptian territories and waters. But all warlike operations involve uncertain expenditure and losses. The statement made by the Prime Minister was the expression of his own opinion; but there is no reason for believing that it is the opinion of the Egyptian Government, nor have they intimated any desire to abandon it.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLDoes it express the Prime Minister's opinion, or the opinion of Her Majesty's Government?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONThe opinion was expressed in a speech outside this House, and was an expression of the Prime Minister's opinion.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLI am asking whether that is the opinion of Her Majesty's Government; and whether that describes the policy of Her Majesty's Government?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONI cannot give the noble Lord any other answer than I have already given.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)The right hon. Gentleman has said that the Prime Minister's speech was made outside this House. That, of course, is obvious; but was it not made in "another place"?
§ [No reply.]