§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there was any truth in the report appearing in the morning papers of the previous day to the effect that failing agreement between the Egyptian and Turkish Government, in regard to the occupation of Akaba the position would be bombarded by a British war ship;, and whether the Egyptian Government had ever exercised any authority in Akaba.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI should like to take the opportunity of my hon. friend's Question to dispel some of the apprehension which has been aroused by mis-statements in some quarters. No ultimatum has been sent to the Turkish Government, and no question has been raised as to Akaba, which is in Turkish territory. Tabah, on the contrary, is in the Sinai Peninsula, which for several generations has been recognised as being under the administration of Egypt, Tabah and one or two other posts in the Sinai Peninsula have quite recently been occupied by Turkish troops; it is obvious, that this aggression upon Egyptian administration cannot be allowed to continue, but this question is now the subject of negotiation.