HC Deb 02 March 1891 vol 350 cc1937-8
MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government recognise the right of sovereignty of Egypt over the Soudan; and, if so, whether he will define the frontiers of the territory over which this sovereignty is claimed by Egypt; and whether it is intended to increase the Egyptian Army, in view of the contemplated military occupation by Egypt of that part of the Soudan called Tokar?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

The term Soudan is applied to extensive regions in Africa, all of which certainly do not belong to Egypt. Her Majesty's Government have not assumed the duty of defining the limits of Egyptian rights in this territory. The second question must be answered in the negative.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Is it in the recollection of the right hon. Gentleman that the following telegram was sent on January 6, 1884:— Baring to Granville.—The Khedive says that he accepted policy of the gradual abandonment of the whole Soudan, which he believes, on mature reflection, to be best for the interests of the country. I wish to know whether the policy of the abandonment of the Soudan is compatible with any effective assertion of sovereignty such as is being made now?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

In the opinion of Her Majesty's Government the withdrawal of the Egyptian troops from the Soudan did not constitute an abandonment of the sovereignty of that region.

MR. LABOUCHERE

I wish to know whether Her Majesty's Government now recognise the sovereignty of Egypt over the whole Soudan, Khartoum included?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

I am not prepared to make a general statement on the subject. If the hon. Member desires an answer I must ask him to place a question on the Paper. I may remind the hon. Member that in 1883 and 1884 the Government bound themselves to protect the Egyptian Government in Egypt and also in the ports of the Red Sea. The Government do not consider that they have departed from that limitation in assenting to the occupation of Tokar.

SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cookermouth)

Are we, then, to understand that the Government do recognise the sovereignty of Egypt over that part of the Soudan?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

I must ask for notice of further questions.