§ MR. MICHAEL DAVITT (Mayo, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether appeals for the remission of their sentences of exile have lately been received from some of the Egyptian political prisoners at present detained at Ceylon; and, if so, whether 639 there is any objection to having copies of these appeals laid upon the Table of the House?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportThe Governor of Ceylon has forwarded memorials from certain of the Egyptian exiles in that island to the Queen and to Lord Salisbury, praying for the exercise of Her Majesty's influence towards obtaining for them permission to leave Ceylon and to take up their abode in Cyprus. There would be no objection to laying copies of these Papers on the Table if it was so desired. But the matter is one primarily for the consideration of the Egyptian Ministry, who are reported by Lord Cromer to be much averse to granting the application.
§ MR. J. DILLON (Mayo, E.)desired to ask, in connection with this Question, whether Lord Cromer was not in a position to decide the Egyptian Ministry in one way or the other in this as in all other matters?
§ MR. CURZONNo, Sir. That is not at all a correct description of the attitude or position of Lord Cromer. He reports to us the views of the Egyptian Ministry in the matter, which I have already stated to the House.
§ MR. DAVITTasked if he understood that Papers were to be laid on the Table?
§ MR. CURZONIf it is the desire of hon. Members they shall be laid.
§ MR. DAVITTThere is such a desire, and I trust they will be forthcoming.
§ MR. CURZONThey shall be.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESasked whether, in laying on the Table the Papers promised, the right hon. Gentleman would also lay such Papers as would show in virtue of what authority and under what law, international or municipal, these prisoners are detained?
§ MR. CURZONNo, Sir; it is quite unnecessary.
§ [No answer was given.]