§ Mr. MOONEY (on behalf of Mr. Dillon)asked whether the British Consul-General in Cairo was using his influence to secure the consent of the Assembly or the Egyptian Government to the Suez Canal Agreement; whether Papers would be laid immediately containing all the correspondence which had passed between the British Government, the Consul-General, and the Suez Canal Company on the proposed agreement; and whether the House of Commons would be afforded an opportunity of considering this matter before it was finally settled?
§ Sir EDWARD GREYI am not aware that Sir Eldon Gorst is exercising any influence on the National Assembly with 498 regard to the proposed Convention. This question His Majesty's Government consider to be one which the Egyptian Government should decide freely for themselves, and in which His Majesty's Government should not exercise any influence at Cairo. I cannot undertake to lay Papers until the matter has reached its last stage; and as it is not one which is under the control of His Majesty's Government, I cannot promise that the House will have any opportunity for discussing it before it is finally settled.
§ Mr. REESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether efforts will be made to get for the British representation on the Board exactly proportionate to their share of the stock, which representation I understand is, at present, conspicuously less?
§ Sir EDWARD GREYThe question of British representation has been under discussion for some years past.
§ Mr. GEORGE LLOYDCan the right hon Gentleman give us any idea how long it will take before an arrangement can be finally come to between the Suez Canal Company and the Egyptian Government?
§ Sir EDWARD GREYI cannot say. When the General Assembly has pronounced its decision the Egyptian Government will have to consider what course they should take.