HC Deb 10 March 1879 vol 244 cc526-8
MR. GOSCHEN

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether the question of employing a force of Marines in the Zulu War has been considered by the Government; and, if so, whether he will state the reason why this body of seasoned troops, ready for service at the shortest notice, had not been utilised?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Sir, the question of employing the Marines in the Zulu War was considered by the Government; but, on the whole, the military authorities were of opinion that the selection actually made was the best in the circumstances of the case. Individually, I may say that I regret that the gallant corps of Royal Marines have not had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, for I am sure they would have distinguished themselves if an opportunity had been given to them of serving at the Cape, seeing that they fully merit the appellation of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the City of London, who speaks of them as a "body of seasoned troops ready for service at the shortest notice." If, unfortunately, further reinforcements should be required for the Cape, I have reason to believe that the Marines will be the first battalion sent out. No further information has been received to day, either by the Secretary of State for War or at the Colonial Office.

MR. A. MILLS

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty a Question, of which I have given him private Notice—namely, Which of Her Majesty's vessels are in Delagoa Bay co-operating with the Portugese Government in preventing the landing of arms and ammunition? I ask the Question in consequence of the statement in this morning's papers.

MR. W. H. SMITH

Sir, unfortunately, the Tenedos is for the present disabled; but the Boadicea, a large vessel, is on that coast, and the Encounter, a corvette going to China, will call at Simon's Bay, and she will be placed at the disposal of the Commodore in case she is required there. We have also heard to-day that the Shah, on her way home from the Pacific, called at St. Helena, and having there heard of the disaster which had befallen Her Majesty's troops at the Cape, the officer in command embarked 156 men at St. Helena, and sailed on the 14th of February for Cape Town. The Shah, has a crew of more than 700 men on board, and therefore she could easily land a naval brigade of 300 or 400 men in addition to the troops. In these circumstances, I think the Commodore will find he has a sufficient force on the coast to prevent the landing of any arms or ammunition.

MR. GOSCHEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the name of the gallant officer in command of the Shah, who acted so promptly, and took the responsibility on himself?

MR. W. H. SMITH

I have great pleasure in stating that it is Captain Bradshaw, an officer who is well known to many of us, and in whose discretion everyone will trust.