§ MR. BROWNsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether he is in a condition to give any information as to what assistance has been rendered by Her Majesty's Government from available stores in the re-victualling of Paris?
§ MR. BAXTERIn reply to my hon. Friend, I beg to say that late on Wednesday evening the Admiralty received from the Foreign Office a request that such assistance as could be provided from the Government stores for the re-victualling of Paris should be sent off without delay. Our stock of provisions at present in the victualling yards is so large that 2,500 tons, amounting in value to nearly £50,000, can be spared for Paris without the slightest inconvenience to the 125 naval service. In anticipation of such a demand probably being made, we had set apart large quantities of flour, biscuit, salt pork, salt beef, preserved beef, soup, essence of beef, and boiled mutton in readiness for shipment at a moment's notice; and the vessels to convey the stores were also waiting. Immediately on the receipt of the communication from the Foreign Office, telegraphic orders were sent to the various ports to begin to load the ships at daylight yesterday. I have to inform the House that the Pelter left Portsmouth, the Buffalo Deptford, and the Helicon Devonport, yesterday afternoon, all for Dieppe. The Tamar sails from Devonport and the Buzzard from Deptford to-day, both for Havre; and the Valorous and Lord Panmure for the same port will leave to-morrow. It will be a consolation to the right hon. Member for Buckinghamshire and those who believe with him that our stores are in such a lamentable condition to know that, if necessary, we could afford at least 1,000 tons more.