§ MR. WARNERsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, or any one of the Cabinet Ministers, whether the despatch from Lord Raglan, dated the 29th of April, in which he inquires about the Sardinian Contingent, or any other recent despatch from Lord Raglan, has contained information on the state of the army or time progress of the siege; and, if so, what is the nature of that information?
SIR, CHARLES WOODI am sorry to find, Sir, that I was unfortunate in not making myself understood in what I said on a former evening. I distinctly stated, both yesterday and on a former occasion, and in nearly verbatim terms, the contents 2047 of the despatches which had been received. I stated yesterday that the Government were ready to communicate to the House any information they received which they considered of interest, and when an hon. Gentleman opposite cheered me—I did not know why—I gave the words of the despatch that had been received. There was in that despatch no information as to the progress of the siege. A despatch has been received to-day, in which it is stated that the Russian force situated between the Belbek and Mackenzie's Farm has been reinforced by two divisions. That is the whole of the information received, and I can only state that which we receive.
§ MR. WARNERsaid, he would then urge upon the Government the propriety of pressing Lord Raglan to send that more detailed information which was so much desired in the country.
§ MR. FRENCHsaid, he would take that opportunity of asking the First Lord of the Admiralty if the Government had decided whether the electric telegraph to the Crimea would be confined to the Government service, or whether it would be available to the public?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODThe telegraph will be retained entirely under the control of the Government. I do not say it will be entirely confined to their use, but it will be entirely under their control.