§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON () Manchester, N. E.I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, on inquiry, he has found that casks of salt beef marked "1893" were, in fact, shipped for the rations of troops going to South Africa, and so giving ground for the complaint that the beef was hard and over salted.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.1,842 lb. of beef of the date "1893" have been returned from the "Kildonan 1520 Castle." I must therefore apologise to my right hon. friend for making a statement. on the subject yesterday which was not correct. No beef of that date was supplied to any other transport from which complaints have been received. I made inquiries on that point by telegraph yesterday. The complaint that the beef was hard as regards the "Kildonan Castle" did not come from the commanding officer of the "Kildonan Castle."
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONDid complaints come from the "Englishman"?
§ MR. MACARTNEYI will tell my right hon. friend after inquiry.