§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there has ever been a conference or deliberations between the Naval and Military Authorities as to the relative desirability of sending troops or merchandize under convoy to the East through the Suez Canal or by way of the Cape; and, if so, what was the result of this conference or of these deliberations?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The question referred to has been carefully considered between the Naval and Military Departments, with the result that, under certain circumstances, the balance of advantage might incline to either route. It would not be for the public interest to detail those circumstances to the House.