§ SIR FREDERICK MILNER (Nottinghamshire, Bassetlaw)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the steamship "Canada," which was engaged by the Admiralty to take 500 Grenadiers, with other troops and passengers, to South Africa last month, was licensed by the Board of Trade to carry 1,060 passengers; whether he can explain why the troops and passengers on board amounted to nearly 2,000; and whether any increase of boats or lifebelts was made in consequence.
(Answer.) The numbers of troops embarked (1,756 men), in the "Canada" on the occasion referred to were within 1231 her recognised accommodation as a transport, viz. 1,784. The Board of Trade licence has reference only to her fitted passenger accommodation in her ordinary trade, and does not affect the ship when her cargo space is fitted up for conveyance of troops; the Admiralty is responsible for the ship under the latter conditions. There was a lifebelt on board for every passenger, and the boats were increased as usual under the transport regulations.—(Admiralty.)