HC Deb 26 June 1899 vol 73 c588
SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any force of marine artillery or infantry has been employed on shore at Wei-hai-wei, and, if so, for what purpose and between what dates.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

No marine artillery have, to my knowledge, been employed at Wei-hai-wei. Some marine light infantry have been stationed at Wei-hai-wei for guard duties on the mainland and some on the island of Leu Kung for the same purpose—from an early date in the occupation till now.

SIR J. COLOMB

Is the force still there?

MR. GOSCHEN

Yes; there are still marines there.

SIR J. COLOMB

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what is the rank of the officer now in command at Wei-hai-wei, and to what arm of the Service does he belong.

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM,) Dover

The senior military officer at Wei-hai-wei is Lieutenant-Colonel Bower, of the Indian Staff Corps, but a naval officer, Commander Gaunt, is acting as Commissioner. The arrangement is, however, provisional.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Is the naval officer in command?

* MR. WYNDHAM

Yes, Sir, he may be said to be senior as regards the administration of the station as a whole.