§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the battleship "Majestic" was sent to sea, after her refit at Chatham, and remained cruising 408 for some time without her port hawse pipe and cable and with the hawse pipe blocked up, so that one anchor was useless; and whether he will put a stop to so dangerous a practice when there is no emergency to justify it.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MCKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.The port hawse pipe, being defective, was removed for use as a pattern for the new one, and during the time the latter was being made, the hawse pipe was blocked up and plated over so that the ship could proceed to sea if required. As the vessel had two anchors and hawse pipes fit for use, it cannot be acknowledged as a dangerous practice. No special orders are considered necessary, the defect being an uncommon one.
§ MR. BELLAIRSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware there are such things as gales around the British coast?
§ MR. MCKENNAYes, Sir.