HC Deb 23 February 1899 vol 67 cc296-8
MR. SCOTT (Lancashire, Leigh)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement made in the public press to the effect that not the whole of the Madhi's body was thrown into the Nile, but that it was dismembered, and that the skull and some of the bones are in the possession of officers who took part in the campaign; whether he' can state, or will take steps to ascertain, whether this statement is correct: and, if it be correct, by whose authority the mutilation took place; and whether he will cause the remains, so far as practicable, to be collected together and decently buried.

MR. BRODRICK

Her Majesty's Government have no information of the character named in the Question. Lord Cromer has been asked to furnish a report.

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by whose orders the body of the Madhi was taken from its grave and thrown into the Nile; and, whether any sanction was given to this act by any authority from Cairo or London?

MR. BRODRICK

I have no information beyond what I gave to the House on Monday last.

MR. BARTLEY

May I ask whether we are to understand that no one will even be reprimanded for this horrible and ghastly outrage?

[No Reply.]

MR. SWIFT MacNEILL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is true that Lord Cromer has expressed his approval of the demolition of the Madhi's tomb by Lord Kitchener of Khartoum; and whether an early opportunity will be given to this House of expressing its opinion on the subject?

MR. BRODRICK

Lord Cromer has expressed his opinion, after hearing the facts, that, under the exceptional circumstances of the case, the Sirdar's action was justifiable.

MR. LABOUCHERE

I had intended to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has noticed a statement in the "Daily News" of 22nd February that the embalmed head of the Mahdi was presented to Major Cordon; whether this statement is well founded; and whether, if so, the head was severed from the corpse and presented to Major Gordon, with the consent and approval of the Sirdar; and, if not with his consent, who was responsible for this act of mutilation' I understand the right honourable Gentleman has said he has no information on this point? Will he try to get it for me?

MR. BRODRICK

Yes, Sir. I can only repeat that I have to state that a full report has been asked for by telegraph, and I must await its receipt before I can give any further information.