§ 16. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the sinking of the steamship "Pentland Range" about 150 miles east of Cape Polonio, Uruguay, was due to the explosion of a bomb placed on board the vessel by enemy agents while loading at Buenos Ayres, whether he is aware that the fire which occurred on the vessel "Fiona," loaded with hessian bags consigned to the British Commissioner of Wheat Supplies, was caused through inflammable substances thrown down the ventilators into the hold; and whether representations have been made in the proper quarter to prevent the recurrence of these outrages?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs regards the "Pentland Range," a British ship, the Report of a naval inquiry held locally does suggest the possibility of loss being due to explosion from bombs placed on board by enemy agents. If my hon. Friend has any information which he thinks would be useful to us, I shall be glad to have it.
As regards the Danish ship "Fiona," though there is no direct evidence, there are grave suspicions of intentional incendiarism; again, if my hon. Friend has any evidence whatever that would help us to follow these matters up, he will, of course, place it at our disposal.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Buenos Ayres is, unfortunately, a centre of enemy activity and espionage, and I may ask whether any representations have been made to the Argentine Government regarding this; if so, will the right hon. Gentleman say what reply has been received?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI could not say. I am not aware of it.