§ 9. Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer v hat is the position of the bondholders in the Egyptian Tribute?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ponsonby)The three loans in question are the guaranteed loan of 1855 and the loans of 1891 and 1894. The interest on the loan of 1855 is guaranteed jointly and severally by the. British and French Governments, and accordingly the bondholders will continue to receive payment of the interest due to them. The loans of 1891 and 1894 are not guaranteed As regards all three loans, His Majesty's Government regard the contentions of the Egyptian Government as entirely inadmissible, and are considering the whole matter in consultation with the representatives of financial interests in this country and with the other Governments concerned.
§ Sir F. WISEWill a report be made when these financial expects have considered the matter?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI will ascertain that. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice in the next Parliament, when I shall be able to answer the question.
§ Mr. E. C. GRENFELL by Private noticeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether. during the recent conversations between t hr Prime Minister and Zaghloul Pasha, the subject of the Ottoman loans secured on the Egyptian tribute was discussed, and, if so, whether the Prime Minister can give any information regarding them, for the benefit of the very large number of bondholders interested.
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. J. Ramsay MacDonald)I am so sorry, but I have not received that question.
§ Mr. GRENFELLI sent it to Mr. Speaker.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can say. without having had notice, that the sub- 713 ject was discussed. I brought it before Zaghloul Pasha in the shape of a memorandum, to which I have received a reply.