§ ADMIRAL WALCOTTThe Noble Lord at the Head of the Government having distinctly acquainted the House with the number of troops he proposes, under the existing state of India to despatch there from this country, I wish to know from the First Lord of the Admiralty, looking to the large reserve of one steam navy, whether it is the intention of the Board of Admiralty to make use of any of the screw line-of-battle ships available for the conveyance of those troops to the East Indies.
§ SIR CHARLES WOODreplied that the Admiralty had reason to believe that the troops could be conveyed to their destination more conveniently and rapidly by the employment of hired transports.