§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any foundation for the recent statements of M. De Brazza, French Commissary General for the Congo, that the recent treaty between France and Belgium secures to France access to the Valley of the Nile, and will enable the French to settle the Egyptian Question in a way consistent with French interests; and of M. Déloncle to the effect that the same treaty practically cuts across the famous English route from the Cape to Cairo; and whether, in view of the importance to Egypt and to British influence there of keeping the whole Nile waterway free from any Foreign 782 occupation or control, Her Majesty's Government will now clearly state that the whole Nile waterway is within the British sphere, and that no Foreign occupation of the Nile will be permitted by Great Britain?
§ SIR E. GREYI cannot discuss the personal opinions of different individuals as to the future effect of the recent agreement between France and Belgium. The relation of that agreement to British interests will continue to receive the careful attention of Her Majesty's Government. The extent of the British sphere of influence in the Nile Valley is defined by the agreements made with Germany and Italy in 1890, and I cannot add to the definitions given there.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTCan the hon. Baronet state whether this definition includes within the British sphere the whole Nile water-way?
§ SIR E. GREYNo; but the Egyptian and British spheres together do cover the whole Nile waterway.