DR. CAMERONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether it is true, as stated in the "Standard" of the 10th of last April, that a Contract for the raising of the "Vanguard" had at that date been concluded between the Admiralty and a French Engineer; whether the Engineer in question was a Monsieur L. Othon; whether operations have been commenced under that Contract; and, whether it is true, as now stated in the newspapers, that the Admiralty have resolved to adopt the plan of a Dr. Rutherford and are again advertising for tenders; and, if so, whether the former Contract with the French Engineer has been rescinded?
§ MR. HUNTSir, no contract was concluded with M. Othon, and the negotiations with him have terminated. Communications are going on between the Admiralty and two other parties who tendered for raising the ship in reply to a public advertisement; but no contract has yet been made.