§ COLONEL SYKESsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the Africa, of four guns and 150-horse power, built in Her Majesty's Dockyard at Devonport, and launched 20th March, 1862, was sold to the Chinese Government; for what sum, and whether that sum has been paid j whether any other of Her Majesty's vessels have been sold to the Chinese Government; for what sums; whether the prices have been paid; and whether any monies are due, and the amount, from the Chinese Government on account of vessels sold, or for the supply of warlike or naval stores to the so-called Anglo-Chinese Fleet lately under the command of Captain Sherard Osborn, C.B., R.N.; and when the ship's books of Her Majesty's Ship Encounter are likely to be received at the Admiralty? He further wished to know, whether the prices obtained from the Chinese Government exceeded or fell short of the cost prices of the ships?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, in reply, that the purchase-money of the Africa had been fully paid, and likewise that of the Jasper and Mohawk. The 1183 stores supplied had also been paid for. In the books of the Accountant General, however, there was a sum of £766 7s. 6d still remaining due to the public for stores supplied to that expedition, and the Accountant General believed that a further small sum would arise for stores supplied to the squadron after their arrival in Chinese waters. Captain Sherard Os-born had called upon him that day, and he had undertaken to state that the debt of the Chinese Government would amount to about £100 when the Admiralty had paid Captain Sherard Osborn for certain stores supplied by him, before he left, to the senior officer of the navy in China. Everybody knew that it was very costly to send out stores to China, and it was therefore a matter of good policy and economy to purchase the stores out there at their original price. After balancing accounts there would remain, as he had said, a sum of £100 due by the Chinese Government, and he had every reason to believe it would be paid. As to the latter pact of the question, the ship's books of the Encounter were now in the office, as far as they ought to be, until the ship was paid off; and his hon. and gallant Friend by applying to the Accountant General at Somerset House could have any extracts from them printed which he thought necessary.
§ COLONEL SYKESsaid, the noble Lord had not stated whether he got the cost price of the ships from the Chinese Government?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETreplied, that the ships were sold at a valuation. They were disposed of for their real value at the time, just as they would be to any private individual.
§ COLONEL SYKESAt a loss.