§ SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the efficient working of the Army system being dependent upon equality of the number of battalions at home and abroad, the nature and composition of any armed force which may be required for service at Wei-hai-Wei has been, or will be, referred to the Defence Committee of the Cabinet to decide whether the Army or the Marine Forces would best provide 1546 for such requirements; and whether that Committee has considered the importance of placing at the disposal of our admirals on the China and other distant stations in war a force of Marines for operations on shore irrespective of those forming part complement of Her Majesty's ships; and, if not, whether, having regard to the teachings of history, and to the experience afforded at Alexandria in 1882, and now by war operations at Manila, of the military requirements necessary to supplement the exercise of naval power, he can give an assurance that this imperial requirement will receive the most careful consideration of that Committee?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I assure my honourable and gallant Friend that all the problems he has suggested in his Question, and any others that may arise, will receive the most careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government.