§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Government, Whether they were prepared to furnish to the House, either by means of a Return or by consenting to the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry, with information with regard to the state of things which at present existed in the Dockyards, and especially at Woolwich, where, he alleged, millions upon millions of money were wasted? There was an accumulation of war material there of which no stock had been taken for 25 years. The military authorities, he believed, had not the least idea of the prime cost of the material which, in varying quantities, was, from time to time, sold by auction from the Dockyard. He asked, also, for an account of the stock-taking which was now going on, and whether some War Office official would be appointed to check it?
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, that his hon. Friend the Surveyor General of Ordnance (Mr. Brand) did not think this inquiry would have been addressed to him, and was, therefore, not in his place.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORI did not expect it myself.
§ MR. COURTNEYpromised to communicate what the hon. Member had 240 said to the Surveyor General of Ordnance.
§ Main Question, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put, and agreed to.