§ MR. BIGGARasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, How long is it since cars were allowed to convey Coastguard Officers in Ireland to get the monthly pay for the men instead of, as formerly, sending the money by the men from station to station; and, whether it is a fact that seven shillings is paid for such conveyance at Ballintoy, county Antrim, while another person has tendered to do the work for four shillings; if so, why was the smaller offer not accepted?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid, that reference had been made to the local officers, and he found that pay cars had been used for many years 1840 when public cars were not available. A payment of 7s. was made in this case, which was not excessive for a distance of 14 miles. An offer of a conveyance for 4s. was made; but it was not a proper conveyance. Such arrangements must be left to the local officers, and there was no reason to question their discretion.