THE EARL OF CARNARVONMy Lords, as I see the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his place, I beg to ask him a Question of which I have given him private Notice. I have no doubt that the noble Earl's attention, and that of your Lordships, has been called to a very singular letter which appeared in yesterday's Times, purporting to be addressed by Arabi Pasha to the Prime Minister. From a cursory observation, it will be clear that the letter was drawn up by an English rather than an Egyptian hand. But, at the same time, it would be satisfactory to the House to know, and I am sure the noble Earl will tell us, if he is able to do so, how that letter was addressed, and how it reached the Prime Minister, and, above all, whether that letter formed the whole or only part of a corre- 1670 spondence—that is to say, whether anything else can be laid on the Table?
§ EARL GRANVILLEIn reply to the Question of the noble Earl, I can only state that that letter is the only communication which the Prime Minister has received from Arabi Pasha. I am not able to say how it reached the Prime Minister; but I can state that the Prime Minister has not answered it.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI wish to ask the noble Earl whether any communications have reached the Prime Minister through any agent of Arabi Pasha in this country, and whether the noble Earl is at liberty to give us any information on the subject?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI am at a loss to guess to what the noble Marquess refers, when he speaks of communications by the agent of Arabi Pasha in this country. I can give the noble Marquess no further information; but I may say that no agent of Arabi Pasha has yet been accredited to Her Majesty's Government.