HL Deb 12 June 1882 vol 270 cc773-4
THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I wish to ask the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he has any further news which he desires to communicate to the House with reference to the state of things in Egypt; and, also, if he will inform the House whether Her Majesty's Government intend to take any measures, or whether measures are so far advanced that the Government can inform the House of their nature?

EARL GRANVILLE

My Lords, in reply to the noble Marquess's Question, I will read the telegrams which have been received at the Foreign Office from Alexandria. The first is from Vice Consul Calvert, dated 10.40 last night, and states that a serious riot had taken place in the afternoon between Arabs and Europeans, and that Mr. Pibworth, an engineer of Her Majesty's ship Superb, was killed, and many wounded, among whom were, I regret to state, Mr. Cook-son, Her Majesty's Consul, and three constables of the Consulate. A further telegram from Mr. Calvert, dated 10.25 this morning, states that the women and children, who sought refuge in the Consulate, have been transferred to the ships, and that the military are maintaining order. I am glad to say that Mr. Calvert states that Mr. Cookson is convalescent, and his injuries are not serious. Sir Edward Malet has telegraphed that the Khedive has sent an aide-de-camp to Alexandria, and the latest telegram received this morning from Mr. Calvert is of a more re-assuring character. The natives, the English authorities, and Dervish Pasha advise that men should not be landed. Sir Beauchamp Seymour has power to land sailors and marines should he think it necessary; but he has telegraphed that the disturbance is of a non-political character, and was suppressed by Egyptian troops.

EARL DE LA WARR

I wish to ask the noble Earl, If the consent of the Sultan has been given to the proposed European Conference with reference to the affairs of Egypt?

EARL GRANVILLE

All the Powers have pressed the Porte to consent to a Conference. The Sultan has stated his opinion that it is unnecessary, and in some ways objectionable; but His Majesty has made no refusal to the proposals of the Powers.

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