§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If it is true that the Government have granted to one firm of booksellers a monopoly of the sale of ordnance maps in England for a term of years; and, if so, what consideration has been given for this privilege, and why were not open tenders invited from the trade for so valuable a concession?
§ MR. HIBBERTA temporary arrangement has been made to the effect stated, under pressure of circumstances, until January 1, 1887, when the new general arrangements will come into force, after public competition. Messrs. Stanford were selected because they already did the largest business in ordnance maps. The trade remains in the same position as before, Messrs. Stanford being bound to give the same discount to them as was allowed by the Office of Works.