§ SIR JOHN HAYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he will state to the House the names and prices of the vessels of the Navies of other Powers and of the Mercantile Marine of this and of other Countries which it has been deemed necessary to acquire for the Navy since the introduction of the Navy Estimates; and, whether this change of policy is in consequence of the insufficiency of the Navy at present to protect our shores, colonies, and commerce?
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYI regret that I cannot, consistently with the public interest, reply to the first part of the Question of my right hon. and gal- 1851 lant Friend; in reply to the second part of his Question, I have to say that the policy of encouraging the construction of merchant steamers of a type suitable for conversion into cruisers has been consistently pursued by successive Boards of Admiralty, and has been the means of giving us a large reserve of fast and effective cruisers.
§ SIR JOHN HAYI would further ask whether a Supplementary Estimate for the purchase of these ships will be laid on the Table; and also whether the Admiralty have been successful in obtaining the Esmeralda?
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYA Supplementary Estimate will be laid upon the Table.
§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, whether it was intended to put into commission the ships which had been so promptly made ready for sea with provisions and stores on board at the various naval ports?
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYI can only state that the ships will certainly be commissioned as soon as the Government deem it necessary.