§ COLONEL HUGHES-HALLETT (Rochester)asked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is a fact that, in May 1885, the Admiralty advertised for tenders for first-class sea-going torpedo boats, 125 feet in length, and with a guaranteed speed of nineteen knots in smooth water, the price to be reduced proportionately down to seventeen knots, and below that the boats to be absolutely rejected; whether, after end of January 1886, the Admiralty wrote to any persons who thus tendered, stating that their designs were considered satisfactory, but that none of these boats were to be ordered at present; whether it is true, as stated in the Press, that in March 1886 the Admiralty ordered the construction of a large number of torpedo boats, 125 feet long, of Messrs. Maudslay and Field, and of Messrs. Rennie, of London; and, whether the price at which these orders were given was higher or lower than the price quoted in the previous tenders, which were stated by the Admiralty in January last to be considered satisfactory?
§ THE SECERTARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. HIBBERT) (Oldham)I have to answer in the affirmative the two first paragraphs of the Question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member. With respect to the latter part of the Question, I have to say that it is not a fact that the Admiralty have ordered the construction of a large number of torpedo boats from the firms alluded to. The statement probably refers to torpedo tubes and gear which have been ordered from these firms for boats now under construction, their tenders being the lowest.