§ 9. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can explain why the steamship "Telemachus," carrying a large quantity of cargo from Canada for a French port, was directed to Southampton, and her cargo discharged there and transhipped in other vessels to France?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe cargo of the vessel consisted mainly of two kinds: one, the lighter portion, which was on top, for discharge in France; the other, the heavier portion, which was at the bottom, for discharge in England. For good reasons, it was subsequently decided that the portion for discharge in England must be unloaded first. This involved the discharge of the whole of the cargo in England and the despatch of the part for France in another vessel. I do not suppose my hon. Friend will mind my saying that he is probably of the impression that in this case he has laid hold of another 1498 of his illustrations of alleged carelessness and want of foresight on our part. Neither do I suppose that he will be altogether reassured if I tell him it is not so.
§ Mr. HOUSTONCould not the two guns have been sent across in a vessel intended for discharge in a British port?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot go into the reasons.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it because your case is so good that you cannot give it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo; I do not propose to go into it.
§ Mr. PRINGLESeeing that the First Lord of the Admiralty publishes his reasons, why cannot you do so?