§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONI bog to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the conveyance by sea of Egyptian pilgrims from Egypt to Arabia is made a monopoly of the Khedival Steamship Company, while natives of other countries are allowed to sail from the same ports by other lines; and whether Sir Auckland Colvin, formerly financial adviser to the Egyptian Government, is the chairman of the company in question.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe Foreign Office are not in possession of any information on the matter, which is one that primarily concerns the Egyptian Government.
§ MR. WEIR (ROSS and Cromarty)Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry? This matter has been going on for years.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYIf any evidence is brought to my knowledge of the matters injuriously affecting British ships I will inquire.
§ MR. J. M. ROBERTSONAnd other ships also. Is it permissible to give a monopoly for the benefit of English shipping to the exclusion of all other shipping?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI presume the interest of the shipping of the other countries will be safeguarded by their own Governments, should anything be done by the Egyptian Government which they deemed to be prejudicial to those interests.