§ MR. SMEATONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian Government intend to give financial assistance to Professor Flinders Petrie in his project of excavating the ancient city of Memphis, on the Nile; and whether, in view of the fact that this is by far the greatest arehæological work of recent times and likely to add greatly to our knowledge of ancient Egyptian history and civilisation, he will endeavour to obtain a promise of funds in aid of the undertaking from the British Exchequer.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. RUNCIMAN,; for Sir Edward Grey) DewsburyWith regard to the first part of the hon. Member's Question, my right hon. friend has received no report on this subject from His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo, but will ask for one. In view of the many more pressing calls upon the Exchequer, my right hon. friend cannot promise to recommend compliance with the hon. Member's suggestion.