§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Court Martial regarding the loss of the Victoria is to be held in Malta; whether it will mainly consist of Captains of men-of-war who witnessed the catastrophe; and whether, in consequence of the awful and unexampled character of the catastrophe, he will consent to countermand the Court Martial so that it may be held in England before a tribunal who have fresh minds and no preconceived notions as to the cause of the collision, and thus allow the Captains who witnessed it to merely give evidence?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe hon. Gentleman has introduced some highly argumentative matter into the latter part of his question, and the House will not expect me, in my answer, to enter upon the points thus raised. All that can at present be stated is that an inquiry by Court Martial will at once be ordered by the Admiralty, and that owing to the circumstances of the case and the impossibility of withdrawing certain officers from the Mediterranean 687 Station it is necessary that the Court Martial shall be held at Malta.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask whether in this case, as in the case of the last important Court Martial held at Malta, the proceedings will be suppressed, or whether they will be made amply known both to this House and the public?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI must ask that notice of the question, as of all similar questions, shall be given.