HC Deb 28 July 1898 vol 63 cc279-80
MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will, before the House rises for the Recess, be able to give any further information as to their plans with regard to Wei-hai-Wei, and especially as to whether they propose to fortify and to garrison it, or any further information as to the general policy they propose to carry out with regard to China?

MR. CURZON

Until the reports of the officers who have been sent to Wei-hai-Wei to make surveys and obtain information are received no decision can be arrived at with regard to what will be done there. The concluding Question was answered by the Leader of the House on Tuesday.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Am I to understand that officers have been gent to Wei-hai-Wei in order to advise the Government as to whether the place should be fortified?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

That is the Question, Sir.

MR. SPEAKER

The honourable Member is commenting upon the answer.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Will the right honourable Gentleman say whether officers have been sent?

MR. CURZON

May I also ask the honourable Member to listen to the replies that I deliver? I said that an answer to the Question contained in the last few lines was given by my right honourable Friend the Leader of the House on Tuesday.

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