§ MR. BAXTERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, How many of the numerous transports now being taken up to convey troops to Egypt have been supplied by the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company, and by the Royal Mail Steamship Company, which receive heavy postal subsidies on the condition of supplying vessels for the service of Government in time of war?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, in reply to the Question of my right hon. Friend, I have to say that two vessels belonging to the Peninsular and? Oriental Steamship Company have been taken up in London for the service of the Government—namely, the Carthage and the Nepaul. The former is a fine vessel of 5,000 tons, which will be employed as a military hospital. I am informed that at Bombay the Hydatpes, Khiva, and Zambesi, all belonging to the same Company, have been taken up, and the Tanjore is being used at Alexandria. No vessel belonging to the Royal Mail Company has been offered to the Government.