§ *SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)asked the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the telegraphic reports that Her Majesty's Mediterranean Fleet had been suddenly ordered from Alexandria to Beyrout were correct; and, if so, what was the reason for the order?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)I only received notice after 12 o'clock, and I cannot give a reply without consulting the Admiralty.
§ *SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid, he gave the hon. Baronet the earliest notice he could. He would only ask a general question which, perhaps, the hon. Baronet could answer at once. Were the House to understand that the movement of the fleet had not been made for any special political purpose.
§ *MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)asked whether this voyage from Alexandria to Beyrout was not part of the pre-arranged summer cruise.
§ SIR E. GREYI cannot even say that without consulting the Admiralty.