§ SIR HENRY TYLER (Great Yarmouth)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether there are any Rules in force, and what is the practice, in regard to the supply of drawings or information to Foreign Powers, or individuals, of vessels, &c., constructed in the Royal Dockyards, or by firms or Companies outside of the Dockyards; whether such drawings or information are sometimes supplied under the authority of the Admiralty; whether any moneys have been received by the Admiralty for their supply; and, whether any further steps will be taken in regard to designs which may be considered to be of a more confidential character?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)It is contrary, both to Rules and existing practice, for Government employés to supply drawings of ships constructed in the Royal Dockyards either to Foreign Powers or to individuals. Certain exceptions to these Rules have at times been made with the approval of the Admiralty; and in these cases the expenses incurred by the employment of extra draftsmen have been refunded by the persons for whom the drawings were made. Private firms tendering for the construction of ships and engines are, of necessity, supplied with specifications and drawings. New Regulations are about to be issued in reference to the publication of confidential designs.