§ COLONEL NORTHsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in conformity with the reiterated recommendations of the Army Medical Department and Military authorities, the Government have yet determined upon the employment of native troops in China?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONreplied, that arrangements were now being made with the view of sending some native troops, consisting probably of rifle regiments, to Hong Kong in order to release the troops at present stationed there. A great part of the duties of the troops there were of a police character, and he should shortly have an opportunity of stating what arrangements would be made; but inasmuch as the troops were employed in duties which could be more properly performed by local police or by a native force, steps would be taken to relieve our troops from the performance of such duties.