§ MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty why the Raleigh, which arrived at Devonport on the 23rd of January from the warm climate of the Cape, has not yet been paid off; whether there are over 70 men in hospital suffering from catarrh, and others at their 960 homes suffering in the same way; and whether, if the ship, as now stated, is to be paid off on the 23rd instant, there is likely to be many men out of hospital to pay off?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe date named in the question for paying off the ship was submitted by the Captain and was approved by the Admiralty. Certain work which has to be done on the return of a ship from foreign service is completed as soon as possible. Nothing unusual has occurred in dealing with the Raleigh. I think it sufficient to say, in answer to the last two paragraphs, that on Saturday the 16th, there were 10 men suffering from catarrh in hospital or at their homes out of the Raleigh's total complement of nearly 600 men.