§ MR. M'COANasked the Secretary of State for War, What proportion of the Railway plant taken over from Messrs. Lucas and Aird for the Suakin and Berber Railway and shipped respectively from Hull and London was new plant, and how much of it had already been used in the construction of the Hull and Barnsley Railway, or of the London and Tilbury Docks; and, whether, and by whom, it was valued for the War Office before shipment; if so valued, on what abatement on manufacturer's prices for new plant of the same description; and, if not valued, how was its "fair and reasonable price" ascertained?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONAbout two-thirds of the plant referred to is new. The remainder has been 1708 previously used. It is carefully inspected by military officers with technical knowledge before shipment, and on the report of such inspection the abatement to be made from the price of new plant is determined.