§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked if anyone had been designated to succeed the late Sir Eldon Gorst in Egypt; and was the office of Consul-General regarded by the Foreign Office as a civil or a military appointment?
§ Sir E. GREYLord Kitchener has been offered, and has accepted, the post of His Majesty's Agent and Consul-General in Egypt. It is a civil appointment. I am confident that the qualities possessed by Lord Kitchener, his special knowledge and experience of Egyptian affairs, and his 856 impartiality and capacity make the appointment one that should command general confidence.
§ Sir W. BYLESWould it not be better to keep our soldiers to their own proper job? Are we not fast becoming an army-ridden nation?
§ Sir E. GREYLord Kitchener has shown great capacity not only as a soldier. The appointment in Egypt is an exceedingly difficult one to fill, as everyone knows. It requires special knowledge, special experience, and special qualities. I do not know anyone who possesses this special knowledge, special experience, and special qualities in so high a degree as Lord Kitchener.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs there any truth in the rumour that Lord Kitchener made certain conditions on acepting this appointment, and can we have those conditions made public?
§ Sir E. GREYNo; there are no conditions at all made. The appointment was offered and accepted in the usual way. Of course, before Lord Kitchener goes out to Egypt, the policy to be followed in Egypt, and the questions which have to be dealt with in Egypt, would be the subject of discussion between him and His Majesty's Government; but the appointment was offered and accepted unconditional.
§ Sir W. BYLESIs all the money we have spent in making a soldier of him to be thrown away?
Sir GILBERT PARKERIs it not the fact that Lord Kitchener filled several appointments in the early part of his-career in the very country in which he is now appointed?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not know what appointments Lord Kitchener has filled, but it seems to me whichever way the money has been spent, whether the career has been military or civil, it should be no bar whatever to his being appointed to a post for which he has special qualities.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWhen the policy has been agreed upon, and the instructions to Lord Kitchener have been given, will these be submitted to the House of Commons?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not propose to depart from previous practice. Lord Kitchener's appointment does not involve any change of policy, but between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the representative in Egypt there is constantly dis- 857 cussion. It takes place every year when the Consul-General returns home on leave, and of course will take place before he goes out there this year.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay we take it that this appointment does not designate any change in the general policy of His Majesty's Government in Egypt?
§ Sir E. GREYCertainly, it does not designate any change in the general policy of His Majesty's Government in Egypt. It simply means that the knowledge and experience and capacity which Lord Kitchener has in a very high degree are to be utilised by the State.
§ Mr. MacNEILLWhy was not that knowledge and experience given to the War Office?