§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether His Majesty's ships "Cadmus" and "Clio" had for the last two years been detailed for service at Shanghai and in the Biver Yangtse; whether, during the summer months, no climatic allowance had been paid to the officers and ships' companies; whether these ships are not suitable for work in hot climates; whether the "Bramble" class and small river gunboats were specially built for such service; whether their officers and ships' companies are paid climatic allowance; and whether he will give the matter his consideration?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe reply to the first two parts is in the affirmative. The Admiralty consider that these sloops are suitable for work in hot climates. The "Bramble" class and the river gunboats which are given climatic allowances were specially built for this service. I shall be very glad to give further consideration to the question to which the Noble and gallant Lord has been good enough to draw my attention, of extending the allowance to the sloops; I have, in fact, taken steps to consult the Commander-in-Chief in China on the subject.