§ THE EARL OF WEMYSSsaid, he wished to ask a Question of the noble Lord the Under Secretary for War, of which he had given him private Notice. It was, Whether Her Majesty's Government had seen the statement in that morning's papers that Osman Digna, who was besieging Tokar, was using two Krupp guns captured from Baker Pasha's force with great precision and very deadly effect to the garrison? He wished also to ask whether the relieving force of English sent to the relief of Tokar 1117 had any artillery except mountain guns? His impression was that they had not; and, if that was the case, perhaps, the noble Lord would give the reason why.
THE EARL OF MORLEYThe noble Lord says he gave me Notice of this Question. No doubt he did, but it was only three minutes ago. It is impossible for me to answer a Question of this kind with such a short Notice. As a matter of fact, a battery of camel guns have been despatched from Cairo; but what other arrangements have been made I can hardly at this moment say.
§ THE EARL OF WEMYSSsaid, the news only arrived this morning, and he had not been able to give earlier Notice of his Question. With respect to the camel guns mentioned, he wished to know whether they were equivalent to field guns? He did not think they were.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI think there is some little doubt whether it is desirable to state in this House, even after due Notice, the details of the military preparations made with regard to this Expedition. It is most certainly not desirable to put a series of Questions without Notice. The noble Earl saw the announcement in the morning papers, at least eight or nine hours ago, and he might have given my noble Friend Notice then.