HC Deb 28 February 1878 vol 238 c453
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he is able to state whether there is any foundation for a statement which has appeared, I believe, in all the newspapers this morning to the effect that the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the Staff of an expeditionary force have been appointed; and, if so, whether those appointments have been recently made?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

It is not correct to say that any appointment has been made. The two officers whose names are mentioned have been selected in case of an expeditionary force being required. They were selected, I think, about 10 or 12 days ago; and Lord Napier was summoned home from Gibraltar in order that he might be in consultation with the military authorities here, and be in readiness if required.