§ MR. GRAVESsaid, his right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty had somewhat misconceived the nature of the Question which he put to him on the previous day. He therefore begged to ask, If a pair of engines of about 700-horse power, ordered from Messrs. Napier and Co., about six years since, are still tying in their factory; and, if so, to state what ship they were intended for and why they have not been used; and, whether these engines were not recently offered for resale to Messrs. Napier and Co.; and, if so, to state the price offered by that firm?
MR. CORRYexplained that he had understood the second part of the hon. Member's former Question to hinge on the first portion, to which he had given a negative reply. The engines referred to were ordered in 1860, and were still lying in the factory of the Messrs. Napier; they had been intended for a frigate which, after standing 1569 for four years, was taken down in 1864, in consequence of the introduction of armour-plated ships. The reason these engines were not used on board another ship was that they were of old construction, without the modern improvements; and, in the opinion of the Controller of the Navy, it would be impossible to put them into any ship now building, while it would be most un advisable to build a ship for them. In the course of the present year Messrs. Napier offered £10,000 for the engines; but in the opinion of the Controller of the Navy that sum was insufficient.
§ MR. GRAVESasked what price had been paid for these engines?
MR. CORRYsaid, the contract price for the engines themselves was £28,880, exclusive of £2,321 for completing and fitting them on board. The former sum was paid, but the latter expense of course had not been incurred.