§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, with the permission of your Lordships, I wish to make an explanation as to a slight mistake which has arisen probably from a misreport; but much more probably from my not having expressed myself quite clearly. It is with regard to the Suez Canal. The other day I stated that a very strong Committee had been appointed to consider the subject, and that it had come unanimously to the conclusion that the neutralization of the Suez Canal would be contrary to the interests of this country. According to the report, it is made to appear that I went on to say that Her Majesty's Cabinet had sanctioned the plan which had been condemned by the Committee. Exactly the contrary was the case, because Her Majesty's Government entirely agree in the resolution arrived at by the Committee, and they sanctioned the thing recommended by the Committee, which was subsequently embodied in a Circular dated January 3rd, 1883, which would make the Canal free, instead of its being neutralized, and so would have rendered it impossible for men-of-war to use it in time of war. I find, however, that I must entirely acquit the reporters of the mistake. My noble Friend behind me (the Earl of Cork) reminds me that I did make the mistake, and I apologize to your Lordships for having done so.