§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Sir Eldon Gorst has expressed his opinion to the effect that the Report of the Committee of the Egyptian General Assembly on the proposals for the extension of the Suez Canal Company's concessions was characterised by an entire lack of confidence in the intentions and good faith of the Government, and of the fact that the subsequent confirmation by the General Assembly of this Report adversely affects British financial and commercial interests, measures will be taken for the effective support of such interests by the adoption of the scheme proposed?
§ Sir E. GREYThis is a matter which primarily concerns the Egyptian Government and the Suez Canal Company. There is no reason for the intervention of His Majesty's Government as far as British interests are concerned, and if they did use their influence in Egypt in a case of this kind it must be from the point of view of the interests of Egypt.