§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is true that 26,000 ounces of silver plate, ornamented in relief with the Crown and Anchor of Her Majesty's Navy (a great portion of which is represented as quite new) is about to be sold by public auction by a firm of pawnbrokers?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, we have no knowledge of the fact that a firm of pawnbrokers are offering for sale silver with the mark of the Navy. A quantity of silver forks and spoons, has, however, recently been sold under the following circumstances: —The practice of the Navy has been that Commanding Officers of Her Majesty's ships have been supplied with silver and electro-plate under regulations; and on payment of percentage on the value. Of late years, however, since the improvement in the manufacture of electro-plate, Commanding Officers have preferred to draw for their personal use electro-plate, as involving less responsibility, and less charge to them, and consequently large quantities of silver have been returned into store. The silver being no longer required, the stocks were collected and sold on the 4th of May last. The total quantity sold amounted to over 30,000 ounces. Tenders were invited from numerous silversmiths and bullion dealers, and the highest price was accepted, being slightly above the current market price for silver. In accordance with the practice of the Service, the silver was ornamented with the Crown and Anchor of Her Majesty's Navy. Only about 20 per cent of the silver was new, no silver having been purchased for some years past.
§ MR. O'DONNELLI will ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that a catalogue of 25,000 ounces of silver table plate has been circulated and described as ornamented in relief with the Crown and Anchor of Her Majesty's Navy, and which is described as to a great extent new, and whether that has been circulated for purposes of auction?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI think, Sir, the answer to this Question is included in the one I have already given.