§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that recently tradesmen have been permitted to embark on board Her Majesty's ships at Malta for the purpose of taking orders from the ships company en route for England; whether any complaints have reached him from tradesmen in the Home naval ports as to the unfairness of the practice; and whether such is sanctioned by Admiralty Regulations?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeA statement similar to that referred to in the question of my hon. Friend has been referred to the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, and his answer is to 178 the effect that he has no knowledge of any such permission for tradesmen to take passage in Her Majesty's ships having been granted; that the practice would be objectionable, and should under no circumstances be allowed. The Admiralty are entirely of the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief, and have no intention of countenancing any such practice.