§ MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far is Tabah from the frontier claimed by Egypt; how far is Tabah from the Suez Canal; has the frontier claimed by Egypt 178 ever been definitely marked out on the ground; were the Turkish troops two months at Tabah before the Egyptian Government hoard of the circumstances; are the Egyptian troops now in occupation of an island near Tabah, which is claimed by the Turks as theirs; and, considering that Tabah is 130 miles from Suez, whether he will continue negotiations for the delimination of the frontier without insisting on the previous evacuation of Tabah.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD-GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)Tabah is three or four miles from the line claimed by Egypt. Tabah to Suez is about 140 miles. I had prepared a detailed Answer to the rest of the Question of the hon. Member, but just before I came to the House I was informed that a satisfactory Note had been received from the Porte; and, if I may be allowed to do so, I should like, instead of answering the Question of the hon. Gentleman, to make a statement to the House. The Turkish Government have informed Sir Nicholas O'Conor that Tabah and the other places in the neighbourhood recently occupied by Turkish troops have been evacuated. Since that statement was made, a Note has been received stating that the Porte does not question the; telegram of April 8th, 1892; that a Joint Committee will be appointed to make a topographical survey and map with a view to fixing the boundaries so as to secure the continuance of the status quo on the basis of the telegram above mentioned; and that the boundaries will run from Rafah in a south-easterly direction and in approximately a straight line to a point not less than throe miles from Akaba. His Majesty's Government have accepted this Note as a reply to their Note of ten days ago, and I hope-there will now be no difficulty in settling the details of the arrangement satisfactorily.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)asked whether the full Papers in connection with the dispute would be laid on the Table.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI should like to consider that Question. I will do everything I can to meet the wishes of the House and the country. Perhaps 179 the hon. Gentleman would give me notice of the Question.