§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Capterbury)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, with regard to the case of Surgeon Lea, of H.M.S. Ringarooma, who, doubting the mental fitness of Captain Johnson for the command of the 1381 ship, had him put on the sick list, whereupon the captain put the doctor under arrest, from which he was released almost at once by the senior naval officer of the port; what was the finding of the court-martial convened by Admiral Bridge to try Surgeon Lea; whether he is aware that the court ruled they had not anything to do with the question of the captain's health, and refused to hear evidence on the point of his medical fitness, and also refused Surgeon Lea's offer to produce medical evidence; whether telegrams and reports have been received at the Admiralty from Sydney, where the court-martial was held, and what decision has been come to on the question; what length of service; has Surgeon Lea had; and whether it is a fact that his record is an untarnished one?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe minutes of the court-martial were received only this morning from the Judge Advocate of the Fleet. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be willing to postpone his question until the Board have had an opportunity of considering the papers, which are voluminous.