§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs—(1) whether any Indian troops of Her Majesty are under orders to go the Soudan; and (2) whether, if troops of Her Majesty are employed either to defend that portion of the Soudan now occupied by Egyptian troops, or to replace any other portion of it now governed by the Kailifa under the rule of Egypt, the cost will be defrayed by Egypt or by this country?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportThe first part of the Question has already been answered in the negative by the Secretary of State for India. In reply to the second, should it be found necessary to employ British troops beyond Wady Haifa, the cost of such operations will be a matter for consideration and discussion between the British and Indian Governments.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREDO I understand that no action will be taken until the House has an. opportunity of pronouncing on the matter?
§ MR. CURZONNO such inference can be drawn from the reply in the form in which I have given it. [Laughter.]
§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs—(1), whether the 9th Lancers are under orders to proceed to the Soudan; and (2) whether the Government adhere to the declaration that no British troops will be employed in the expedition to Dongola?
§ MR. CURZONThere is no foundation for the report that the 9th Lancers are, under orders to proceed to the Soudan. In reply to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to or to subtract from the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on the 27th of March.