§ MR. HENDERSONsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether Specifications for building Iron Gunboats and other Ships of War are not being prepared; and whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to invite Tenders from the builders on the Thames exclusively, or whether builders in other parts of the kingdom will have the opportunity of tendering for such vessels?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONMy answer, Sir, to the Question of the hon. Member for Durham is this—it is the intention of the Government, in moving the Navy Estimates, to propose the building of two iron gunboats; and the specifications are now being prepared, so that we may receive the tenders as early as possible. This course has been taken on account of the great distress which has been found to prevail among the shipbuilders in the East of London, and with the object that, if Parliament sanction the building of those ships, the companies on the Thames may, as early as possible, prepare for work. This is the course the Admiralty are taking; but it is not the intention to confine the tenders to the Thames companies only. On the contrary, it is intended to call on all the shipbuilders, usually called on, to send in tenders, and the most satisfactory ones will be selected.
§ MR. HENDERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that as great distress prevails among those engaged in the iron trade as among the shipbuilders on the Thames?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONI think I can say that no favour or partiality will be shown to the builders on the Thames over those anywhere else.