§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the following notice was issued on the 22nd of February to the engine-room artificers serving with the Channel Squadron—namely, "Unless the E.R.A.'s who rode into Castleton, passing the rear-admiral and the captains of the "Hannibal" and "Resolution," are reported, the leave of the E.R.A.'s ashore to-day will be stopped until further orders"; and whether this notice has since been withdrawn; and, if not, whether he will take steps to have it withdrawn in the interests of those chief petty officers who were in no way concerned with the offence.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY,) Antrim, S.The Admiralty have no knowledge of the notice to the engine-room artificers of the Channel Squadron referred to in the question. In any case, the Admiral in command is responsible for the maintenance of discipline and order in the fleet under his orders, and it would be very undesirable for the Admiralty to interfere with the steps he has found it necessary to take to secure these.
§ MR. FENWICKWill the hon. Gentleman cause inquiries to be made as to whether this notice was posted?
§ MR. MACARTNEYI will consult my right hon. friend.