§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether any additional number of troops have been sent to or placed under orders for China beyond the number stated in this House by the Secretary of State for India on the 24th day of February last; what is the amount of the addition, if any; and whether it has been made by the despatch of troops from India or from this country. Also, what arrangement has been made for the wives and families of the troops despatched from India to China; and whether, in consequence of any addition that may have been made to the number of troops, it will be necessary for the Government to apply to Parliament in the j present Session for an additional Vote of Credit on account of the Chinese Expedition?
§ MR. SIDNEY HERBERTsaid, in answer to the question of the hon. Baronet, he had better state first what was the amount of force mentioned by his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India on the 24th of February last as being about to be despatched to China from India. There were five regiments of European Infantry, and probably two additional British regiments, amounting in the whole to 7,484 men, the five regiments would include 5,500 men, and the two additional regiments 1,984 men. He said there would also be five regiments of irregular Native Infantry, consisting of about 4,000 men; one regiment of Native Cavalry, of 400 men; and two companies of Madras Sappers, amounting together to 200 men; making in all 4,600. So that the British force, consisting of 7,484, and the Native force, of 4,600, would make a total of 12,084. But his right hon. Friend did not mention, owing to the form in which the question was put to him, what he (Mr. S. Herbert) would now state—namely, that 754 there were likewise going from India four battalions of Royal Artillery, consisting of 814 men; one company of Royal Engineers, of 124 men; and two squadrons of Dragoon Guards, of 328 men; making a total of 1,266. These, added to the former sum, made an aggregate of 13,350 men. One regiment, however, of the Native forces, they had heard by the last mail, had been stopped, and it was possible that other regiments had been stopped. Only the day before yesterday they heard that one regiment had been detained in consequence of receiving counter orders. He would add now the numbers of the troops which had been despatched from England; they consisted of one battalion of the Military Train, 289 men; two battalions of Royal Artillery (Armstrong guns), 444 men; the 2nd Regiment of Foot, from the Cape, 845 men; together, 1,578. That, added to the totals stated before, made 14,928. From that must be deducted however, for over-estimate of the forces already stated, about 1,000 men, making the whole of the available force about 14,000 in round numbers, irrespective, of course, of the garrison at Hong Kong. With respect to the wives and children of those regiments which had been despatched to China from India, the moment the Government here heard that the India Government contemplated sending them to England, the Government at home telegraphed to India, desiring the Government to keep there all the wives and children of the regiments despatched from India to China until further orders. With reference to the question of additional forces for China, it would be impossible to foresee what would be the course of future events; but if it should be such as to lead to a commencement of hostilities, and to a protraction of operations, then certainly due notice would be given to the House of any Motion that might become necessary to meet that state of things.