HL Deb 27 May 1884 vol 288 cc1456-7
EARL GRANVILLE

Before moving the adjournment of the House I wish to say a few words. I am quite prepared to move the adjournment to any day most convenient to the noble Marquess opposite; but, of course, I feel myself in a difficulty, having given Notice already of the 16th June as the day for reassembling, and on the faith of which noble Lords and some of the officers of the House have made their arrangements, I think it desirable that there should be no misunderstanding. If the noble Marquess thinks he has any Business to bring before the House by Monday week, I will substitute that date; but it is only fair to state that there is no sort of a chance or possibility of my being able to make a statement on Egyptian affairs on so early a date.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I should be sorry to do anything to interfere with the convenience of the House; but Notice has been given by the noble Earl behind me (Earl Stanhope) of his intention to ask, on Monday week, for information as to the progress of these negotiations and the intentions of the Government with respect to the limitation of the occupation of Cairo. Of course, the whole ground, for limiting the vacation, and asking that we should be in the presence of the Government at an earlier period, arises from the apprehension that a conclusion will have been come to in these negotiations before we have time to express our Constitutional protest. If the noble Earl will assure us that no engagement shall be entered into limiting the occupation of Her Majesty's Army in Egypt before the House returns, that would be a satisfactory arrangement, and it would be useless to meet earlier than the day formerly named. But we feel that we are in the presence of a very grave contingency indeed; and unless we have some assurance that the Government will not come to any conclusion, it would hardly be decent that the House should separate for three weeks.

EARL GRANVILLE

I do not think there is the slightest chance of my giving any further answer on Monday week than I have given to-day. I certainly cannot give any extraordinary engagement as to communications with other Powers. I have stated what the intention of the Government is. I have no personal convenience of my own to consult; it is entirely a question for the noble Marquess; but if he does call upon us to meet, there ought to be some substantive Motion to deal with.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Do I understand the noble Lord to say that the issue of the communications will be laid before Parliament before any engagement is entered into?

EARL GRANVILLE

I did not say that. I have stated that we would give Parliament an opportunity of expressing an opinion before we go into the Conference.

EARL STANHOPE

The question of importance is whether the Government will submit the Anglo-French negotiations to the House and to the country before submitting them to the other Powers?

EARL GRANVILLE

As I understand the noble Marquess wishes the House to meet on Monday week, I will move that the House do adjourn to that day.