HL Deb 23 February 1885 vol 294 cc1016-7
THE EARL OF HARROWBY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will lay upon the Table at once copies of the whole of the telegrams and despatches received from General Gordon during the siege of Khartoum? The noble Earl said he was anxious to know whether the telegrams and despatches that would be presented would be intact? It had been stated in the other House that parts of the telegrams relating to personal matters would be omitted. He thought it exceedingly desirable that the whole of them should be published. The country would not be satisfied without seeing every word that was sent to the Government by the late lamented General during the siege. It would be desirable to have all the telegrams from General Gordon in one book, instead of being scattered over several books. He should also like to know whether the Government could give the House any further information as to General Gordon's diaries?

EARL GRANVILLE

All the despatches and telegrams that we have received have been laid before Parliament. With regard to the objection of the noble Earl to any omission whatever of a personal character, I entirely dissent from that objection. If the personal matters were merely reflections on the Government, that would be a public thing; but they are not, and it would be most unfair to General Gordon and to the individuals mentioned if we were to publish to the world observations about those individuals which he certainly did not intend to have published.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

Do I understand that all the Papers have been laid before the House?

EARL GRANVILLE

All that we have received.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

The noble Earl has not answered the Question as to the diaries.

EARL GRANVILLE

We have not yet received them, so we must wait until we have received them before we can give you the opportunity of seeing them.

THE EARL OF CARNARVON

said, the noble Earl had not answered the Question whether he would consent to bring forward in one single Paper all the telegrams?

EARL GRANVILLE

said, it would be highly inconvenient to do so, as it would destroy the chronological sequence.

THE EARL OF HARROWBY

I may take it that the only omissions made in the telegrams are those of a personal character reflecting on individuals, which, therefore, cannot be published?

EARL GRANVILLE

Yes; and there are some which might have an injurious effect upon the military operations.

THE EARL OF HARDWICKE

remarked that there was no index to the Blue Book presented that day, which was an unusual omission.