§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty as the Harbour Authority for Plymouth is aware that German steamers calling at Plymouth are allowed to ship dynamite in the harbour; and, if so, whether the Admiralty will consider the expediency for the safety of the port and shipping in the harbour of having all shipments of dynamite or other explosives made outside the breakwater or other suitable place, subject to the like conditions as are imposed in the Thames and other ports in United Kingdom?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH,) Lancashire, ClitheroeGerman ships do not ship dynamite in Plymouth Harbour. A place is assigned in the Sound for that purpose, and the Queen's Harbourmaster sees that the bye-laws made under the Explosive Act are carried out. There is no reason, in the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief, for altering the present arrangements.
§ MR. BARTLEYI will ask is it not the fact that a German steamer shipped dynamite at Plymouth for Calcutta on the 18th June, and whether a second German steamer did not ship dynamite at Plymouth for Algoa Bay on the 29th June, the consignment consisting of 2,780 cases of dynamite, equivalent to about 70 tons weight? I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether that did not take place in Plymouth Harbour?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHNo, Sir; not in the harbour. I have got no information about the two ships, but any consignment of dynamite is conducted in a part of the Sound specially set apart for that purpose.