§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the Hospital Ship "Maine" is in Malta Dockyard for refitting, and that one boiler is actually cracked and the others in a very bad condition; if so, if these facts have been reported to the Admiralty; if the cracked boiler is to be patched up and this ship to be sent to sea again with her boilers in a condition not equal to what they should be, and in a condition dangerous to the men, and especially the firemen; and if he will have this ship sent home for a thorough refit, or make some other arrangements whereby the lives of the officers and men and of the patients will not be endangered?
448W
§ Mr. AMMONThe Admiralty have full information of the condition of the boilers of His Majesty's Hospital Ship "Maine." Instructions have already been issued to Malta Dockyard to carry out extensive repairs and renewals to the boilers, which should render them efficient for a further period of service. There is, of course, ao question of the ship being sent to sea with her boilers in a dangerous condition.