HC Deb 01 July 1898 vol 60 c793
MR. DAVITT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Dervish prisoners taken at the Battle of Atbara, have been impressed into the Anglo-Egyptian service, and are to take part in the campaign against the Khalifa and Khartoum?

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS

Several hundreds of the prisoners taken at the battle of Atbara have joined the Egyptian service, They were not impressed into it, but enlisted voluntarily, having in many cases friends and blood relations in that service whom they were anxious to join. The Baggara prisoners have not been enlisted, but have been employed upon the railway works.

MR. DAVITT

Is it the fact or not that these prisoners have been impressed into the Anglo-Egyptian service?

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS

No, Sir; it is absolutely untrue.

MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)

May I ask the honourable Gentleman how the prisoner, the chief Mahmud, is now being treated, and what is to be done with him?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The honourable Member had better give notice of that Question.

MR. W. REDMOND

I will put it again on Monday.