§ MR. WILLIAM ALLEN (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any notification was made by Lord Cromer favourable to an advance of Egyptian or British troops to Dongola prior to the order for the present expedition into the Soudan?
MR. CURZONThe expedition was decided upon by Her Majesty's Government in consultation with the military authorities in England, after previous communications with Lord Cromer and the military authorities in Egypt, who had expressed the opinion that a forward movement against the Dervishes should be made. More than one alternative was discussed; but it would be contrary 178 to practice and to convenience to make public the views of various advisers of the Government upon any particular proposal.
§ MR. H. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the military authorities recommended the forward movement, or that Lord Cromer recommended it before the expedition was decided on?
MR. CURZONI may repeat what I said in my answer, which I think was quite clear that the military authorities, both in England and Egypt, were in favour of the forward movement.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREYes, but was Lord Cromer?
MR. CURZONI have already answered in regard to Lord Cromer. [Opposition cries of "No, no!" and Ministerial cheers.]
§ MR. ALLENI did not quite understand the answer of the right hon. Gentleman. Did the right hon. Gentleman say that Lord Cromer also approved the forward movement?
MR. CURZONI must have made myself singularly unintelligible; and, if so, I beg pardon. What I said was that it was entirely contrary both to practice and convenience to make public to the House the views of any individual advisers of Her Majesty's Government. [Cheers.]
§ MR. LABOUCHEREMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he considers what inference will be drawn from his answer? ["Hear, hear!"]
MR. CURZONThe hon. Gentleman is at liberty to draw whatever inference he pleases. [Ministerial cheers and laughter.]
§ MR. LEONARD COURTNEY (Bodmin, Cornwall)The real question is, whether "who" in the answer refers to Lord Cromer or not. ["Hear, hear!"]
MR. CURZONThe words I used were these:—
The expedition was decided upon by Her Majesty's Government in consultation with the military authorities in England, after previous communication with Lord Cromer and the military authorities in Egypt, who had expressed the opinion [Cries of 'Who?']—that a forward movement against the Dervishes should be made.179 [Cries of "Who is who?"] "Who" refers to Lord Cromer and the military authorities. [Ministerial laughter and cheers.]