§ MR. GATHORNE-HARDY (Sussex, East Grinstead)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what provision is 732 made on board troopships for saving life in the event of shipwreck or collision?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONsaid, the only troopship in commission, the Malabar, had boat accommodation for 1,245 men in light marching order without packs, and could therefore accommodate in boats on an emergency all the numbers she carries. Transports which are merchant ships adapted to carry troops are governed, as regards boat accommodation, by a scale according to tonnage. This scale is the maximum laid down by the Board of Trade under the Merchant Shipping (Life-saving Appliances) Act, 1888. They are also obliged to carry life-belts, so that, with the boats, every man can be supported in the water on an emergency.