§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's present advisers share the views 377 of Earl Granville and the Earl of Rosebery, as expressed in their despatches of 1884 and 1893, respectively, that, so long as the British occupation of Egypt continues, His Majesty's Government is responsible for the maintenance of law, order, and good government in that country; and whether it is by reason of such responsibility, or upon any other ground, Egyptian affairs are being administered by Lord Cromer under the direction of His Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Earl PERCY,) Kensington, S.The Answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The administration of the country is conducted by the Khedive and his Ministers with the advice and under the supervision of Lord Cromer as the responsible representative of His Majesty's Government.
§ MR. HENNIKER HEATONArising out of that Answer, I beg to ask whether Egyptian Ministers are bound to accept; such advice on pain of dismissal from their offices. I specially allude to Lord Cromer's advice to remit the salt tax.
§ EARL PERCYThe Egyptian Government are under an obligation to follow the advice of Lord Cromer.