§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If it is a fact that a number of Coastguards stationed in the South of Ireland, latterly received orders to join H.M.S. Shannon, as part of her crew, on the 5th instant; whether 21 of these men. Coastguards from the Cork District, after answering the summons, on arriving on board, were then informed their services were not required; whether these men's fares and return fares are to be paid by the Admiralty; and, what individual is responsible for the alleged blunder?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The facts are generally as stated. After the embarkation of the Queenstown Division of Coastgurdsmen had been ordered it was decided to replace 20 of them with a corresponding number of Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers. The Shannon having proceeded to sea, the telegram ordering this change did not reach her in time to stop the men from starting for Bantry. There is no intention of charging the railway fares against the men.