HC Deb 10 February 1898 vol 53 cc233-4
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, in view of the fact that traders cannot recover private debts from sailors or messmen in Her Majesty's ships for goods supplied except by the ordinary civil procedure, will he explain why notice is not given at the ports that the Admiralty is not responsible for those supplies; and whether the Admiralty will consider the advisability of giving notice in future to those concerned as traders?

MR. MACARTNEY

The rules and customs affecting the private arrangements of officers and men with traders are well understood at the ports, and it is not considered necessary to take any action in relation to these matters.