§ MR. NORMAN (Wolverhampton, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admir- 1558 alty whether it is the custom of the Admiralty to ship high explosives in large quantities upon British passenger steamers; and whether, seeing that these steamers do not accept similar freight from private shippers, he will state under what sanction the Admiralty acts in contradiction to regulations which have been thought necessary for the safety of the travelling public.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN,) Suffolk, WoodbridgeIt is not unusual for the Admiralty to ship explosives upon British passenger steamers, as in view of the excellence of the manufacture, the special way in which they are packed, and the fact that they are always carried in specially constructed magazines, the fear of accident is most remote. It is not correct to say that these steamers do not accept explosives from private shippers for conveyance, and the Admiralty are not aware of any such regulations as those referred to.