§ MR. HAVELOCK WILSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if any report has been received by his Department with regard to the suicide of a lascar fireman named Mara Bun Houra on board the British steamer "Indrasambra" during a voyage from India to New York; whether he is aware that the lascar fireman in question became demented, and, seizing a carving-knife from the galley, ran along the deck slashing right and left, and whether the other lascar seamen were afraid to descend to the stokehold; if he can say that Mara Bon Houra jumped overboard the same day and was drowned; whether he is aware that five days before this vessel's arrival in New York another lascar fireman named Mohammed became demented also and died; and if it is his intention to hold an investigation in this case.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGENo particulars of the occurrence mentioned in the Question have been received by the Board of Trade. I have communicated with the owners, who report that no such occurrence as is described has occurred on their "Indrasamha" within the last few years. I have asked the Consul-General at New York, where the vessel arrived on the 15th ultimo, for his report on the matter, and on receipt of his reply a communication shall be sent to my hon. friend.