MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any information has been received from the Egyptian Government as to the expenditure already incurred in connection with the military operations in the Soudan; whether this expenditure is still being defrayed out of the ordinary revenue of Egypt; and, whether it is anticipated that any proportion of the cost of the expedition, beyond the extraordinary expenses of the Indian garrison at Suakin, will have to be charged to the British Exchequer?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERNo information has been received from the Egyptian Government with regard to the expenditure already incurred in connection with the military operations in the Valley of the Nile. It is presumed that this expenditure is being defrayed out of the various moneys at the disposal of the Egyptian Government, including the advance of £500,000 made by the Caisse de la Dette Publique. The question as to whether any proportion of the cost of the expedition, beyond what I have already stated to the House, 39 will be borne by the British Exchequer is reserved for future consideration and adjustment between the British and Egyptian Governments.