§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the fact, as was very recently stated in the French Chamber that negotiations are now proceeding between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Sultan 844 of Turkey on the subject of Egypt; and if such negotiations are proceeding, whether he will state to what points they are directed?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONOn the 23rd of April the Turkish Ambassador informed the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that the Sultan desired to renew negotiations with respect to the British occupation of Egypt, and communicated a draft Convention on the subject. A reply was given, to which the Porte has not as yet addressed itself. The House is aware of the utmost terms upon which Her Majesty's Government were able to treat in the Convention negotiated by Sir H. Drummond Wolff.
§ MR. BRYCECan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what the terms of that reply are, and when he will be prepared to lay it upon the Table of the House?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThe hon. Member knows that that would be a very unusual course; and, as the Porte has not yet replied, it would be impossible for me to fix any date.