HC Deb 19 June 1902 vol 109 cc1113-4
MR. SHEEHAN (Cork, Co., Mid.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to a Resolution unanimously adopted by the Council of the County Borough of Cork on 6th June, requesting the Government to appoint a Roman Catholic chaplain to each of the Navy Squadrons; and can he state if it is the intention of the Admiralty to accede to the representations which have reached them on this subject.

The following Question also appeared on the Paper:—

MR. GILHOOLY (Cork, Co., W.)

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Council of the Borough of Cork has sent a copy of a Resolution to the First Lord of the Admiralty requesting the Government to appoint a Roman Catholic chaplain to each of the Naval Squadrons belonging to the Government; and whether, in view of the fact that two Roman Catholic sailors who were victims of the accident in the "Mars" might have required the ministration of the chaplain, he will take steps to give effect to this Resolution.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast W

The Resolution referred to by the hon. Member has been received at the Admiralty, but I have nothing to add to the answers I gave on the 5th inst. and on the 28th May to the effect that it is not proposed to make any change in the existing arrangements with regard to the embarkation of chaplains on His Majesty's ships.

MR. GILHOOLY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two Catholic sailors who were victims of the "Mars" accident, were in agony all night and might have died without the administration of the last rites.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

That is not the Question on the Paper.

MR. GILHOOLY

But it is what occurred.

MR. SHEEHAN

And you gave the House to understand that this matter would be considered by you!