§ MR. DEASYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether he has received offers of steamers from Irish Shipowners for transport purposes on as favourable terms as from English Shipowners; and, whether any Irish ships have been engaged; and, if not, on what grounds?
§ MR. CAINE (for Sir THOMAS BRASSEY)Offers have been received within the last few days from the owners of upwards of 900 steamers, with, for the most part, nothing to indicate the nationality of the owners, that not being a point to which the attention of the Board is directed. The only stipulation required is, that the owner of the ship used in transport shall be a British subject. Of the ships taken, two—the Dunluce and the Camel—belong to the Port of Belfast. Two others belonging to the Port of Sunderland, and one belonging to the Port of Liverpool, are, I think, the property of Irish owners.
§ MR. CAINEThe Admiralty will consider which are the fittest ships for the purpose for which they intend them.