§ SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth). I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether naval and military officers have been directed to inquire and report upon Wei-hai-Wei? Whether the naval officers are to report independently to the Admiralty, and the military officers to report independently to the War Office, or whether they are to furnish a joint report; and, if so, to whom? And whether, in either case, the officers employed have had any instructions from the Defence Committee of the Cabinet as to the specific purpose for which Wei-hai-Wei has been acquired, and to which it is to be adapted, or what steps have been taken to secure that the nature of their inquiries and reports shall be subordinated to the general policy of British Defence, both in its naval and military aspects.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe answer to the first paragraph of my honourable and gallant 940 Friend's question is in the affirmative. I do not think the second and third paragraphs are really of a kind which should be made the subject of question, and answer across the floor of the House. They deal with the machinery by which the executive Government obtain their information.
§ SIR J. COLOMBPerhaps the right honourable gentleman can tell us whether the instructions to the officers have been drawn up by the Defence Committee or by the separate Departments—the War Office and the Admiralty?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI can assure my honourable and gallant friend that there is perfect, harmony between the Departments.