HC Deb 01 July 1898 vol 60 cc793-4
MR. DAVITT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to advise the Government of Egypt to reconsider the decision announced last year not to grant the prayers of the Egyptian exiles, Arabi Pasha and others, to have their domicile changed from Ceylon to Cyprus; and whether, in view of the length of their exile and the peace which now prevails in that country, Her Majesty's Government will advise the cancelling of their decree of banishment?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. N. CURZON,) Lancashire, S.W., Southport

Her Majesty's Government know no grounds upon which they could urge on the Egyptian Government a reconsideration of the decision at which the latter arrived last year.

SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

Arising out of that, may I ask whether it is considered by the Egyptian authorities that the return of Arabi will involve any political danger?

MR. CURZON

No, Sir. I cannot speak as to the actual chance of political danger, but it was undoubtedly on political grounds that the Egyptian Government arrived at their decision not to recommend the return of these, exiles.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask whether it is the fact that the health of Arabi Pasha has become injured by the climate of Ceylon, and, if so, whether another place of detention might not be found for him?

MR. CURZON

No, Sir. I inquired into this matter very closely last year, thinking it of some importance. The facts which I ascertained did not bear out the impression which the Question of the honourable Member would suggest.

MR. W. REDMOND

Would there be any difficulty in transferring him to some other place of detention, if he so wishes it, where he would be equally safe?

MR. CURZON

That is a Question which is a little difficult for me to answer on the spur of the moment, as I think the honourable Gentleman will see; but I do not think it is contemplated by Her Majesty's Government to remove any of these exiles from Ceylon.