§ MR J. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg—in accordance with private notice—to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government can give the House any information as to the engagement at Manila, reported to have taken place between the American and Spanish fleets; whether any apprehensions of danger to the lives and interests of British subjects are entertained by the Government; and whether any British warships are available for the protection of British subjects in the Philippine Islands?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe information we have received points to the Spanish fleet at Manila having been destroyed. A British ship is, I believe, on its way there, and I need hardly say all we can do to preserve British interests will be done.