§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there was any truth in the report that appeared in all the newspapers this morning that it was intended to employ British troops to fight at Suakin?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)In case the officer commanding the Division at Suakin should deem it necessary that the native troops should be supported by British troops, Her Majesty's Government would certainly sanction their employment.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLAm I to understand that the discretion is to be vested in an officer in the service of the Egyptian Government?
§ MR. E. STANHOPENo doubt the duty of the troops will be limited to the object of the Expedition—namely, driving the rebels out of the positions they now occupy. Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the officer commanding the troops in Egypt.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked, whether it was not the case that the troops to be employed were not under the officer commanding the British troops in Egypt; and whether the discretion to use them had not been vested in an officer of the Egyptian Government?
§ MR. E. STANHOPECommunications are going on between Her Majesty's Government and the General Officer commanding the troops, and on the result of those communications any future action will depend.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)inquired whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in an early part of the Session, gave a distinct pledge that no British troops should be employed at Suakin?
§ [No reply.]