1. Major GEORGE PEELasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will say what steps are being taken in respect of the abolition or modification of the capitulations in Egypt?
§ The ASSISTANT-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord R. Cecil)The Commission appointed at Cairo by the Egyptian Government in March, 1917, for the purpose of elaborating the legislative, judicial and administrative reforms which would be rendered necessary by the disappearance of the capitulations has made progress as rapidly as circumstances admit. It is the intention of the British and Egyptian Governments to come to an agreement with the Allied and neutral Powers, who are parties to the capitulations for the abolition of the latter, as soon as sufficient progress has been made in the preparation of a new judicial system to replace that at present in existence.
§ Colonel YATEDoes not the fact that we are at war with Turkey ipso facto abolish these capitulations and leave us free to appoint British Courts in their place?
§ Lord R. CECILI should not like to assent to that without consideration.
§ Colonel YATEWill the Noble Lord give it his consideration?