§ 74. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for War what the numbers of the troops which comprised the Shanghai Defence Force were on their first arrival in Shanghai, and on each subsequent month up to the present time; and whether stationed at Shanghai, Tientsin or Wei-hai-wei?
§ 75. Mr. STEPHENasked the Secretary of State for War the total number of British soldiers at present on service in China; and whether there is any intention upon the part of the Government to withdraw any of the regiments at present on service there?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Commodore King)I have had a table prepared showing month by month since 1st March last the infantry units stationed in China and their location, which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the last part of Question No. 75, the four battalions from India and ancillary troops are under orders to return to India, and two of the four battalions have actually sailed.
§ Mr. TREVELYANWill the return contain the actual numbers as distinct from battalions? What I ask for is the actual number.
§ Commodore KINGThe right hon. Gentleman will realise that the numbers are constantly varying. If we give him the number of units, he will find in the Army Estimates the Colonial establishment of a battalion. Of course, the actual numbers vary slightly round about that figure. The figures which I am giving are in units, but each unit represents a definite establishment.
§ Mr. TREVELYANCannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman give the figure of the number of soldiers we have out there?
§ Commodore KINGMy answer will enable the House to approximate the figures which, as I have sad, vary from day to day. If we sent out to China, of course, we could get a daily statement of the figures, but I think it would be hardly worth the trouble.
§ Mr. TREVELYANWhy cannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman give the figure of the soldiers we have out there when he can give the figure of the soldiers who are ill?
§ Commodore KINGThe units sent out were on Colonial establishment, but the right hon. Gentleman asks for the
| Date | Number of Infantry Units stationed at— | ||||||
| Shanghai. | Hong Kong. | Tientsin. | Wei-hai-wei. | ||||
| 1stMarch | … | … | … | 7 | 2 | — | — |
| 1st April | … | … | … | 11 | 2 | — | — |
| 1st May | … | … | … | 12 | 1 | — | — |
| 1st June | … | … | … | 12 | 5* | — | — |
| 1st July | … | … | … | 10 | 5* | 1 | 1 |
| 1. The above table does not include— |
| (i) One Royal Marine battalion which has been stationed at Shanghai since 28th February. |
| (ii) The normal infantry garrison in China, which consists of two battalions at Hong Kong and one battalion at Tientsin. |
| 2. The term "Shanghai Defence Force" did not cover either— |
| (i) The permanent establishment in North and South China. |
| (ii) The 15th Brigade which was sent to China in April. |
| (iii) The two battalions (originally part of that Force), after they had been sent in June from Shanghai to Tientsin and Wei-hai-wei where they are shown in the table on 1stJuly. |
| *Includes four battalions of the 15th Brigade. |