§ MR. LAW (Glasgow, Blackfriars)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that 896 the German steamer "Germanius" has been chartered to load a cargo of oats from New Zealand to the Cape, he will make it a condition of all contracts for the purchase of materials required by our Forces in South Africa that such materials shall be carried in British vessels.
LORD STANLEYUnder the transport regulations, no ship that is not registered a British ship is ever engaged by the Admiralty for the conveyance of either troops, horses, or stores. This rule is not applied to ships which the Colonial Governments may find it necessary to charter.
§ MR. LAWMay it not have arisen in connection with some purchase by the War Office? Would it not be as well, in making purchases, to lay down the condition that the articles shall be conveyed on British ships?
§ [No answer was returned.]