§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the attention of the Government has been called to the following in several of the London papers:—
The question of the English occupation of Egypt is again before the Porte. Mukhtar Pasha has reported that as the country is entirely at peace, with the exception of a few revolted tribes in Upper Egypt, there is no longer any necessity for the English to remain. His emissaries have informed him that the Chiefs of the revolted tribes declare their readiness to submit if the English quit the country;whether it is the intention of the Government to withdraw the British troops from Egypt at an early date; and, what 66 has the occupation of Egypt cost this country since it commenced?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)I have seen in the newspapers the statement quoted; no official information has reached Her Majesty's Government as to the supposed Reports from Mukhtar Pasha. The policy of Her Majesty's Government with respect to the occupation of Egypt has frequently been stated. There is no change in their intentions. It is impossible to state what the occupation of Egypt has cost this country since it commenced, as distinct from the various events connected with it. There is now no extra charge to British revenues on account of the troops stationed in Egypt.