§ MR. ANDERSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If he will state the circumstances under which the Admiralty, about a year and a-half ago, bought a parcel of Dutch hay, kept it for more than a year, and then sold it again; 1282 for what expedition it was intended, what was the quantity, and what the whole amount of loss by the transaction, including interest and all charges; and, why it was not either used or handed to some other Department to be used before it got damaged?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe hay was bought to provide forage for horses on board ship, if it became necessary, as it was apprehended, in the spring of last year, that it might become necessary, to send an expedition from this country. It was bought by the Director of Contracts of the Navy, who was assisted in the survey and the taking over of the hay by an Army officer. The quantity purchased was 1,200 tons, and the price was £5 15s. per ton. The Secretary of State for War undertook that the Army should take over the hay if it was not used for the expedition. When it became clear that it would not be required for that purpose, the War Office authorities were applied to to take it over, and on survey they found it to be unfit for military purposes. The greater portion was then sold at 35s. per ton. I am unable to state what the exact loss has been on the transaction, as there are one or two questions which are yet undetermined, and the accounts, therefore, have not been made up.
§ MR. ANDERSONasked what the expedition was, and whether when the hay was passed by the Department at first it was sound?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe bon. Gentleman can hardly expect me to answer the first Question. A Vote of Credit was taken last year for purposes which were fully explained to the House, and the hon. Gentleman was present at the time. The hay would not have been taken in the first instance if it had not been sound.