§ MR. PIRIEI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War can he state who is responsible for the fact that the 900 boat accommodation on the hired transport Nubia, employed in conveying troops from India last January, was only sufficient in case of accident for 400 men, although the transport was carrying 1,500?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. St. JOHN BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)The Admiralty is responsible for the boat accommodation on the Nubia. There was accommodation in the boats for more than 900 men, which is, as I stated last Friday, in excess of the Board of Trade requirements.
§ COLONEL SIR H. VINCENTDoes not a hired transport come under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act as to life-saving appliances having to be provided for every soul on board?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe honourable and gallant Member for Sheffield should address his Question to the President of the Board of Trade.
§ COLONEL SIR H. VINCENTI should be happy to do so if he were in his place.
§ MR. BRODRICKIn reply to the honourable Member for Aberdeen the number was as stated in the Question.