§ 4. Mr. ASHLEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty why the Government refused to allow transports proceeding empty to Egypt to take out from this country iron 1023 bands so essential for baling Egyptian cotton and so useful for baling hay for Army horses; and whether, in coming to this decision, the resulting loss to Egypt, the cotton trade of this country, and the military authorities was considered?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am afraid my hon. and gallant "Friend has been misinformed. In the first place, no transports are proceeding empty from this country to Egypt, and, in the second, the Admiralty, when approached, offered to assist in shipment of these bands if the suppliers found it impossible to secure freight. Nothing further was heard of the matter.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWould the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the Commissioner?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have not gone very fully into the matter, but I shall be very glad to have any information the hon. Gentleman has in his possession.