§ MR. JAMES STEWARTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether, having regard to the present depressed condition of the Shipbuilding Trade throughout the Country, he will give an opportunity to private firms to tender for the Torpedo Boats which it is reported that the Government require?
§ MR. W. H. SMITH,in reply, said, that the torpedo boats now in course of construction were being built under contract by private firms; and if it should be necessary to increase the number, and it should be for the convenience of the public service, the same course would be followed. He could not say anything more on the subject.