§ SIR DE LACY EVANSsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for War the number of Regiments or numerical strength of the Garrisons of Hong Kong and Canton, Europeans and Natives of India not included in the amount of forces stated by the Secretary of State as proceeding to or arrived in China?
§ MR. SIDNEY HERBERTreplied, that the garrisons of Hong Kong and Canton comprised three batteries of artillery consisting of 292 men, three companies of Royal Engineers containing 268 men, and a battalion of European troops 738 strong. There were also three battalions of Native troops containing 1639 men, who were to be relieved by an equivalent force; and orders had been given that the English soldiers who were sick should be sent home unless urgent affairs required that they should be still retained there.