§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any information concerning the steamship "Heliopolis," which has been lying off Hobbs Point, Pembroke Dock, for several months; to what uses has she been put during the War; whether special fitments were placed in the vessel and then subsequently removed after no use had been made of them; and whether this vessel can now be released for overseas trade, if not required for military or naval purposes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The vessel in question was purchased before the outbreak of the War, with a view to conversion into a hospital ship for the Fleet. Owing to more pressing needs for the fighting ships of the Fleet, it has not been possible to proceed with the work for some months. The question has been under careful consideration; and, as the future does not hold out any early prospect of proceeding with the work, and the ship could be usefully employed in her original duties as a cargo ship, it has been decided to sell her.