§ MR. E. CECIL (Hertfordshire, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Spanish mule-drivers at Gibraltar are still allowed on the Upper Rock to carry up on their mules material for the construction of fortifications, although all British civilians and all foreigners are strictly excluded; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to provide that where mules are required on the Upper Rock they should be driven by British soldiers only, as otherwise it is possible to bribe the foreign mule-drivers to betray plans of the fortifications?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ST JOHN BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe materials for works on the Upper Rock at Gibraltar are carried by Government pack mules or mule carts, the drivers of which belong to the Transport Establishment, and are British subjects. It is impossible to avoid the employment of native labour to some extent on the works.