HL Deb 19 May 1885 vol 298 cc908-9
THE EARL OF JERSEY

moved for a Return of the total sums spent by the Imperial and Indian Governments on naval and military operations in or connected with Egypt, on its civil administration, and on any other matters relating to that country since 1st January 1882 up to the present time; Also, for a Return of the officers and men who have lost their lives and of the number invalided home in consequence of our operations in Egypt between the above-mentioned dates.

THE EARL OF MORLEY

said, he would consent to the Return, with the addition of the words "so far as may be."

THE EARL OF MILLTOWN

hoped that the number of Arabs who had lost their lives would be stated.

THE EARL OF WEMYSS

said, the Return to be complete should also include the number of Egyptian troops killed, including those garrisons which had been massacred; and the number of Egyptians and Arabs who had been sold into slavery during our military operations in the country.

THE EARL OF LONGFORD

said, that in answer to a recent inquiry the noble Earl the Under Secretary of State for War (the Earl of Morley) assured the House that the troops in Egypt were amply supplied; and he had since shown him (the Earl of Longford) a Return giving the exact quantity of Commissariat stores at the different stations. Nevertheless, they heard through the Press and from various private reports that the troops at many different stations were on short allowance, and many of them almost in rags. He did not mean, or wish in the least, to make a charge against the War Office. He knew that abundant supplies had been sent out; but the question was whether they had reached the troops, and on that point he could not help thinking that the troops were the best judges. The noble Earl had received Commissariat Reports. He would suggest that he should ask for more specific Reports from the Military Authorities.

THE EARL OF MORLEY

said, that the information given to the noble Earl (the Earl of Longford) was entirely wrong. That Return he had shown the noble Earl was not a Commissariat Return at all. He should be glad to receive any information which the noble Earl might give, and to investigate the matter; but the noble Earl had not specified a single point. If he would make a specific complaint inquiries should be made; but he (the Earl of Morley) could not undertake to telegraph inquiries as to all rumours which were circulated. He did not say that in the course of transport up and down the river cases of inconvenience might not have occurred; but this he did say—that the Reports of Military Authorities on the Nile showed that there was no deficiency in the supplies which had been forwarded.

Motion amended, by the addition of the words ("so far it can be given,") and agreed to.

Address for— Return, so far as it can be given, of the total sums spent by the Imperial and Indian Governments on naval and military operations in or connected with Egypt, on its civil administration, and on any other matters relating to that country since 1st January 1882 up to the present time: Also, Return of the officers and men who have lost their lives and of the number invalided home in consequence of our operations in Egypt between the above-mentioned dates."—(The Earl of Jersey.) House adjourned at half past Seven o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Eleven o'clock.