§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I rise to ask my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any information which he can give with regard to the movement of troops to the Mediterranean?
§ THE EARL OF DERBYMy Lords, I have no difficulty in answering the Question of the noble Earl, which, under the circumstances, is natural and opportune. What has happened is this—The Mediterranean garrisons are at present, I understand, below their full complement, and in the uncertain and disturbed condition of Europe it has been thought desirable that they should be strengthened to the extent of about 3,000 troops. That is the sole foundation for the statements in the newspapers.