THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI wish, Sir, to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is able to give the House any information respecting a report which has been prevalent during the last two or three days that several transport ships have been prepared for service, and that a considerable number of troops are under orders for immediate embarkation? If so, I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether he can state what is the destination of those troops, and whether he is able to give any information as to the objects with which they are despatched?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the rumours to which the noble Lord refers as having been current during the last few days are founded on this—that the Government thought it right, in the present unsettled state of the Mediterranean region, to raise the garrison of Malta to its full complement, and for that purpose a number of troops is about to be despatched for that destination. That is the sole answer I can give to the Question of the noble Lord.