§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, there is a Private Bill coming on which will occupy some little time; and, therefore, I wish now to ask the noble Earl opposite (Earl Granville) a Question of which I have been unable to give him Notice. I am afraid that, under present circumstances connected with Egypt, it is impossible to give Notice with respect to information which sometimes, as in this case, only reaches us an hour or two before your Lordships meet. I wish to know, Whether the noble Earl is able to give any information to the House with respect to that which he stated to be the remedy for the Egyptian difficulty, on which Her Majesty's Government relied—namely, the project of assembling a Conference at Constantinople; and, whether it is true, as rumoured, that the Sultan has refused his assent to such a Conference?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I think the noble Marquess might have given me Notice of this Question; but in reference to the statement appearing in the morning newspapers, I can only reply that, while the Sultan docs not think it necessary that a Conference should be held, I have no hesitation in stating that he has not refused his assent. I am able also to contradict another erroneous statement that has appeared in the newspapers. It is entirely untrue that Lord Dufferin has recommended Her Majesty's Government to abandon the Conference.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI wish, if I may do so, to put to the noble Earl another Question, of which I did give him Notice two days ago—namely, with respect to the earthworks at Alexandria. Have Her Majesty's Government given any instructions with respect to those earthworks—instructions to press in any manner on the authorities who are now governing in Egypt the expediency of abstaining from prosecuting the construction of the earthworks; and have any instructions on the subject been given to the officer in command of Her Majesty's Fleet in consequence of the earthworks being commenced?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, we have had communication with our Admiral at Constantinople and our Agents in Egypt on the subject; but the noble Marquess will agree with me that it 4 would not be right for me to indicate the nature of any instructions that have been given on the subject.
THE EARL OF CARNARVONI wish to ask another Question, of which no Notice has been given. It has been stated—
§ EARL GRANVILLEI must press the noble Earl to give me Notice of the Question.
THE EARL OF CARNARVONMy Question arises out of the answer just given, and I consider that I am perfectly justified in putting it. It is stated in today's papers that guns are being placed in the earthworks at Alexandria. I shall be glad to know, if the noble Earl is aware of the truth or untruth of that statement?
§ EARL GRANVILLEAs a matter of fact, I believe orders have been given that no further armament shall be placed in those earthworks.