§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If (as it appears that the sale of Deptford Dockyard to Mr. Austin has not been completed, and that the title will have to be made out to the Corporation of the city of London instead of Mr. Austin) he will delay the final conveyance of the same to the Corporation until an opportunity has been afforded this House of further information on the subject?
§ MR. GOSCHENsaid, in reply, that the valuation obtained by the Admiralty on the property was £80,000, but those who made the valuation intimated that the Admiralty should not refuse a less sum. The Office of Woods then valued it, and their valuation came to £70,000, but ultimately the Government sold the property to Mr. Austin for £71,500, which sale was approved by the Treasury. Since then the Admiralty had had nothing more to do with the property. It was offered to the City of London in 1869 and refused by them, and the present transactions lay simply between the City of London and Mr. Austin.
§ SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSONasked if the conveyance was made out to Mr. Austin or to the Corporation?
§ MR. GOSCHENTo the Corporation under the legal obligations incurred.
§ SIR JAMES ELPHINSTONEasked if Mr. Austin had paid the money?
§ MR. GOSCHENsaid, the hon. and gallant Gentleman was pressing a question without notice. The Admiralty were acting in the matter according to the legal obligations they had incurred.