HC Deb 23 November 1852 vol 123 cc350-1
ADMIRAL BERKELEY

said, he begged to put the following questions to the hon. Gentleman the Secretary to the Admiralty: Whether Her Majesty's Government intend to introduce a Bill for the better regulation of ports and harbours? Whether the present Board of Admiralty, soon after their accession to office, gave directions that the names of the workmen and artificers, recommended for promotion, were to be sent direct to the Secretary to the Admiralty instead of being first submitted to the Surveyor of the Navy, as had been previously the rule? Whether any correspondence took place with the Surveyor in consequence of such order, and whether such order is still in force? Whether a Committee of Officers was appointed to inquire into and report on steam ships, steam engines, and the subject generally as applicable to naval purposes; and the reason for such Committee separating without coming to any conclusion or making any report?

MR. STAFFORD

said, in answer to the first question, it was not the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill on that subject. In reply to the second, he had to state that he supposed the hon. and gallant Gentleman alluded, in the wording of his question, to the arrangement made by Mr. Ward in 1847. The arrangement, which was first made when the Navy Pay Office was consolidated with the Board of Admiralty, in 1843, confirmed in 1844, and assumed to be in existence in 1847, when Mr. Ward issued his last regulation, was still in force, and had not been at all disturbed by the present Board of Admiralty. There was no correspondence with the Surveyor of the Navy on the subject. In answer to the third question, he thought the hon. and gallant Gentleman had assumed that the Committee of Officers had separated; but that was not so. The Committee, on their appointment, proceeded to visit Glasgow and Liverpool. They found, however, that in order to carry out the purposes for which they were instituted, it would be necessary to expend a greater sum in the prosecution of their researches than was desirable. For that reason the Committee returned to town, and did not prosecute the inquiry further; but it was in contemplation for them to resume their functions.

MR. RICH

said, he wished to know whether any steps had been taken by the Admiralty with a view to render the naval defences of the country more efficient, in pursuance of the recommendations of a Commission which sat on the subject?

MR. STAFFORD

said, the Commission to which the hon. Gentleman referred made a report, in which they suggested certain things to be done, and other things which it would be desirable to do when the next mail contracts came under consideration; but he (Mr. Stafford) did not think it prudent to stste what those suggestions were, for the present at all events.

Subject dropped.