§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I have deferred putting a Question about General Gordon till the last moment, as the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is not in his place, and I will now put it to the most dignified Member of the Government present, the Lord President of the Council. Is the noble Lord able to toll me whether there is any truth in the news which has been spread about London that General Gordon is taken?
§ LORD CARLINGFORD (LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL)I have only this moment heard of the report, but not from any official quarter.
Earl GRANVILLE having at this moment taken his place—
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYagain rose and said: I wish to ask the noble Earl, whether there is any foundation for the report which is prevalent in London that General Gordon is taken?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I was informed about an hour ago that the second edition of The Daily News contained a telegram to the effect stated by the noble Marquess. We have had no information of that kind. Not being able to get the second edition, I sent to The Daily News office to know the particulars, and I have just received a note from the editor, in which he says that they had received a telegram to that effect, but they did not publish, it be- 165 cause they did not attach any weight to it.