§ Sir HENRY CRAIKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the useful work of the Gordon College at Khartoum, both in regard to the industrial development of the country and in regard to the bacteriological investigations conducted in the college, whereby the increasing dangers of malignant malaria may be counteracted, and also in view of the limitations placed upon this work by deficient financial resources, he can hold out any hope of increased assistance, either from Egypt or from the British Exchequer, whereby that work, hitherto largely dependent on private beneficence, may be carried on under more assured conditions?
§ Mr. GEORGE GREENWOOD (Peterborough)I desire before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question to ask him whether the bacteriological experiments referred to in the hon. Member's question are not in fact conducted in the Wellcome Research Laboratories, equipped by a member of the firm of Burroughs and Wellcome; whether his attention has been called to the "Journal of Pathology" of March, 1906, giving an illustrated account of a series of very cruel experiments on dogs and monkeys by inoculating them with sleeping sickness, without thereby advancing the cause of knowledge or science by one jot or tittle; and whether, in view of the great and growing body of opinion hostile to such experiments, he will refrain from devoting public moneys to their promotion?
§ Sir E. GREYI have no information on the points raised in the supplementary question. I am sorry that there was not time to refer to this point when the hon. Member asked about it the other evening. The question of assistance from the Egyptian Exchequer is a matter for the decision of the Egyptian Government, but I may point out that Sir Eldon Gorst states in his Annual Repor ton Egypt that the expenditure on education has been increased, in the Budgets of the last few years, to the utmost extent which the resources of the country will allow. In the Soudan in particular there are many objects, absolutely necessary to the country, such as improvements of means of communication, which must be considered. With regard to assistance from the British Exchequer, although I am quite alive to the merits of the Gordon College, 1336 and much appreciate the value of its work, I fear there is no precedent for subsidising such educational establishments from the British Exchequer. Though I cannot hold out hopes of a grant of this nature, I can assure the hon. Member that it is the desire of His Majesty's Government that the work of the Gordon College should receive every support and encouragement that can be given as opportunity arises, either from public funds or private benevolence.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONHas the Foreign Office any funds for purposes such as this?
§ Sir E. GREYDoes the hon. Member mean an international fund? I am not aware there is any fund of that kind.