MR. BAYLEY POTTERsaid, that various rumours had been circulated with respect to the recent changes which had taken place at the Admiralty. He believed that many of them were untrue, and he, therefore, begged to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, If the Shipping Agents to the Admiralty re- 1407 ceive any remuneration whatever from the Shipowners, or otherwise, beyond their commission of 1s. 3d. per ton?
§ MR. BAXTERI am glad, Sir, that my hon. Friend has given me an opportunity of contradicting a report, reflecting no credit on its authors, which has been circulated since a Question was last answered on this subject. The shipping agents of the Admiralty are strictly prohibited, by the terms of their agreement, from receiving any payment whatever from the shipowners, whether in the shape of primage or other percentages which may be customary in certain cases, and they have requested me to give their unqualified and indignant denial to the statement that they have received a single farthing in addition to their commission.