§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government can now see their way to advise the Egyptian Government to expend a considerably larger sum than £500 on the relief of the inhabitants of the Eastern Soudan now perishing of famine, having regard to the terrible sufferings reported from that district, and to the desirability of establishing influences and connections which may make for the re-establishment of peace in the Soudan, and prevent the recurrence of like calamities?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONThe Egyptian Government, besides placing £500 at the disposal of the Governor of Suakin for the relief of the distress, has directed him to provide work for the able-bodied men. It is obviously undesirable to give gratuitous relief except to those who are physically unable to work. In answer to inquiries how a London Committee could best assist, Sir E. Baring has advised that £500 should be sent to the Local Committee, and it is hoped that the arrangements made by the Governor, with the aid of private charity, may prove sufficient to relieve the starving people without any serious demand on the taxpayers of Egypt. Her Majesty's Government are unwilling by any tender of their advice to the Egyptian Government to allow the impression to exist that that Government is insensible to the dictates of humanity.