§ MR. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government have thanked the French Government for the respect paid by the military authorities of Algiers to the memory of Field Marshal Sir Donald Stewart in according to him all the honours paid to a marshal of France; whether the French Government offered to send the body to this country in a French man-of-war; and, if so, why this offer of international courtesy was declined; whether one of Her Majesty's ships has been commis- 1532 sioned to bring home the body from Gibraltar, and what steps are being taken to accord to that distinguished officer like funeral honours in his own country as have been so generously rendered to him by the French nation.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir. The cordial thanks of Her Majesty's Government have already been conveyed to the French Government for the honour so generously paid to the remains of the late Field Marshal Sir D. Stewart. I am not aware that any offer was made for the conveyance of the remains to this country in a ship of the French Navy. The remains were in fact removed from Algiers to Gibraltar in the "Juno," a first-class cruiser, and are now being conveyed to this country in the "Rameses." I am informed that on the receipt of the news of the Field Marshal's death steps were taken to accord a military funeral befitting his rank, after ascertaining the wishes of his family as to the place of interment. The funeral service takes place in the chapel of Chelsea Hospital, of which he was governor, and will follow generally on the lines which have been observed at the ceremony of the funerals of his predecessors.
§ MR. COURTNEY (Cornwall, Bodmin)On what day will the funeral of Sir Donald Stewart take place? The newspapers announce Thursday. I am told that the day will be Saturday.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am sorry I have not the information my right hon. friend desires. I can no doubt find out and convey the news to him, but it has not been furnished to me.