§ MR. DICKINSON (St. Pancras, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, at the time of the 409 accident to H.M.S. "Gladiator," two of the seamen on that vessel were in irons awaiting court martial; what was the fate of these men; and whether he will consider the desirability of discontinuing the practice of placing men in irons on board ship.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe rumour that there were two men in irons on board the "Gladiator" on the day of the accident is without foundation: there were two men under a sentry's charge at the time, and both of them were saved. The practice of placing men in irons is only resorted to in a case of absolute necessity.