§ SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when the despatch of the officer commanding the British Guard of the Legation at Peking will be published, and what is the cause of the delay in publishing the official report from that officer of the operations resulting in the successful defence of the Legation.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI entirely share my hon. and gallant friend's desire that the despatch in question, which reflects great credit for gallantry upon the small guard of Royal Marines in Peking, and which was received at the end of October, shall be published as soon as possible. I understand that arrangements have been made for it to appear in the London Gazette on Tuesday, and I regret that, owing to a misunderstanding as to the decision of the Board on the subject, it has not been done sooner.