HC Deb 08 August 1905 vol 151 c610
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of placing in the Naval Exhibition specimens of the cat-o'-nine-tails which are kept and the birches and canes which are used on board ships of the Royal Navy, in addition to the other articles associated with life on board the King's ships.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN,) Suffolk, Woodbridge

No, Sir, I do not think the general public take as much interest in these articles as the hon. Member does.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

The hon. Gentleman is aware that these articles are paid for under Vote 8 of the Navy Estimates. On that account, ought they not to be seen by those who pay for them? I will make a fair compromise. Will the hon. Gentleman show them to the officers and men of the French fleet?

MR. WEIR (ROSS and Cromarty)

Could they not be placed in the tea-room, so that we may inspect them?

MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)

Can they not be placed at the service of the Patronage Secretary of the Treasury?

[No Answer was returned.]