§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of the Government has been called to declarations by 929 the Italian Ministers to the effect that Kassala is about to be restored to Egypt; what calculation has been made of the cost to the Egyptian Budget of holding that post, estimated by the Italian Minister of Marine as £60,000 a year; and what military measures are in contemplation for the protection of Kassala when handed over?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURON,) Lancashire, SouthportWe have not heard of any declarations by Italian Ministers of the diameter referred to, nor have Her Majesty's Government received any intimation of such an intention from the Italian Government. If any such intimation were made it would be for the Egyptian Government to examine the military and financial questions involved, and In consider whether the offer could be accepted.