§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the steamship "Abydos" was taken by the Government of India from its owners for use as a floating workshop in spite of protest that her minimum draught of 11 feet rendered her useless for that purpose; whether after much delay and expense the "Abydos" was on arrival at Busrah condemned as quite useless there; whether she was returned and at further large expense and delay reconverted into a cargo vessel; whether she is now used under requisition by the Indian Government; and whether the Indian Government has now agreed to pay the owners £10,000 for immediate attributable loss, which loss is entirely due to official incompetence in India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)As regards the first three parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers made to the questions put by him on the 13th March, 10th April, and 26th June. As regards the fourth part of the question, I gather from the returns of the Ministry of Shipping that the vessel was again requisitioned in January last for the purpose of carrying supplies for pilgrims, and may still be so employed. The compensation mentioned in the last part of the question presumably includes the hire of the vessel at book rates for the five months of the first requisitioning, but as to this I am making inquiry.
§ Mr. KINGI beg to give notice that if there be an Indian Budget I shall call attention to this grave scandal.